asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If there is any truth in a paragraph in the "Pall Mall Gazette," of Tuesday, the 22nd, to the effect that he has abandoned the intention of proposing a plan for a Naval retirement during this Session; and, if he will inform the House when it is proposed to take the remaining Vote on the Navy Estimates?

Sir, there is no truth in the statement in The Pall Mall Gazette, if it is meant to convey the idea that I have abandoned those intentions which I expressed on the last occasion when the Navy Estimates were before the House. The plan then suggested, that, possibly, as a temporary measure, certain modifications of the retirement scheme of 1870 might be proposed, has not been abandoned; and I shall take the opportunity on moving the Half Pay Vote of stating my intentions on that point. I believe the Navy Estimates will be taken on Monday next.