§ MR. HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, why contracts for the supply of preserved table butter to the value of £891, and for £22,221 for salt pork, were concluded, on 6th July and 8th October respectively, with persons outside the United Kingdom; and, if he can inform the House the amount of the financial saving effected by placing abroad, instead of at home, the supply for Her Majesty's Navy of these two articles of British and Irish production?
§ * THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingWith reference to the particular supply of butter mentioned, samples were obtained from the leading Irish and foreign packers, which were submitted to analysis and the opinion of a Board of officers, quality being the prime consideration. The sample recommended was the best in quality. Danish pork was accepted in preference to Irish on the ground of economy. The quality was much about the same, but the difference in price was about 10 per cent.