§ MR. MACDONALD (Tower Hamlets, Bow)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty when the particulars with regard to the contracts entered into by the Government with private firms for the building of new ships will be given to the House; and whether he will include in those particulars the prices quoted in the accepted tenders for the hull, the engines, the auxiliary machinery, and the masts and rigging?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have before explained that it would be contrary to public interests to publish the prices for which certain contracts for ships have been made, before all the contracts are complete. This condition is not yet fulfilled, and I cannot, therefore, say how soon the promised Return can be granted. My hon. Friend's suggestion as to publishing details of prices shall be considered in preparing the Return.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to give any contract to the Passage Docks Company?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThis is not a question of future contracts, but relates to certain contracts which have already been made. The Passage Docks Company have recently been asked to tender for certain articles.