§ MR. MOSS (Denbighshire, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will supply to the House a list of all those companies, firms, or persons from whom the Admiralty have chartered steamers during the last twelve months, and also the names of all those firms or individuals who have acted as agents or managers for steamship owners in their negotiations with the Admiralty during the same period; and, whether he will consider the advisability of declining in the future to negotiate or enter into contracts with those steamship owners who carry on their negotiations with the Admiralty through Members of this House.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.Column 5 of the Return No. 184, ordered by the House of Commons on 6th February last, giving particulars of vessels engaged for the conveyance of troops and horses for South Africa, which is now 264 being printed, will show the names of the owners of all such vessels. I have no objection to furnishing the hon. Member with the names of the firms or individuals who have acted as agents or managers for the owners in their negotiations with the Admiralty. In regard to the last paragraph of the hon. Member's question it would not be in the public interest; to exclude all steamship owners or companies who occasionally communicate with the Admiralty through their representatives who are Members of this House, thereby excluding some whose fleets have been invaluable to the nation.
§ MR. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.)When will the Return be presented? It is six months old already.
§ MR. MACARTNEYIt is being printed. I should think it will be circulated very shortly.