§ MR. D. A. THOMASI beg to ask the irst Lord of the Admiralty if he is ware that inconvenience is caused to those tendering by invitation to the Admiralty for the supply of steam coal by the delay in notifying them whether their tenders have been accepted or otherwise; and if he can in future arrange to obviate the delay.
§ *THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.The inconvenience which may be caused to firms tendering by delay is fully recognised, but the question of the allocation of the orders requires careful consideration. Tenders are always dealt with as speedily as possible.