§ Colonel J. WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any firm of shipowners have asked the Admiralty to contract to build liners for ocean traffic in the Portsmouth dockyard; and, if so, does he propose to accept the offer, so as to obviate the necessity for short time or the discharge of the workmen?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn the 6th November the Admiralty received an offer to build at Portsmouth two steamers for a commercial firm, and the matter is now under serious consideration.