§ MR. LEAI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 5 of the First Report from the Committee of Public Accounts issued on Saturday last; 1374 and what steps the Admiralty purpose taking to prevent a repetition of these offences, either by contractors to the Board of Admiralty or persons under the control of the Admiralty.
§ MR. LAMBERTAs regards employees of the Crown, the Admiralty are considering how best to emphasise the already stringent regulations forbidding such offences. The warning against bribery contained in the contract conditions has been made more clear. Any breach would result in the contractor being struck off the list, and other Departments would be informed of the delinquency. The Admiralty are determined, so far as is in their power, that these practices shall cease.
§ MR. LEAasked whether the contractors in this case had been prosecuted, or whether there was any intention to prosecute them.
§ MR. LAMBERTNo, Sir. This case occurred about two years ago.