§ MR. CHARLES M'ARTHUR) (Liverpool, ExchangeI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty when it is proposed to complete the Return giving the names, tonnage, &c., of the vessels engaged as transports during the South 620 African War, and whether he will add to the particulars already given the rates of freight paid for the chartering of vessels throughout the war.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.A further Return bringing the information with respect to names, tonnage, &c., up to the 31st October last, has been presented to Parliament. This Return will be continued for the present year in due course. As a rule, it is not considered in the interestes of the public service or of the contractors themselves, to publish detailed particulars of prices paid. In the present instance, however, the particulars as to rates of freight have been laid before the Royal Commission charged with enquiry into the conduct of the War, and no doubt any points affecting the public interest arising out of the examination of these particulars will be considered by the Commission in making their Report.
§ SIR WILLIAM ALLAN) (GatesheadIn order to make the Return complete, will the hon. Gentleman say how many of the vessels were fitted with watertube boilers?
§ [No answer was returned.]