§ MR.MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will purchase for the use of our Mercantile Marine a sufficient supply of the wreck charts (specimens of which are now in the Tea Room) published monthly by the Navy Department of the United States of America, and distribute them to the masters of vessels sailing from our ports for abroad?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideThe Government do not furnish gratuitously charts prepared by the Admiralty, and they are not in a position to furnish charts prepared by a Foreign Government. Hydrographical information issued by the Admiralty and of use to mariners is published monthly by the Board of Trade, and widely distributed by them gratuitously. This publication comprises much information respecting the reported position of floating wrecks.
§ MR. MACDONAIs it not a fact that shipmasters are almost unanimous in favour of the preparation of charts like those published in the United States?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI have had no representations to that effect.