THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether any of Mr. Whitworth's 7-inch or larger guns have been ordered for the service; whether any of the service guns have been or are to be rifled on Mr. Whitworth's principle; and, whether it is his intention to take any other steps with the object of giving a practical trial to Mr. Whitworth's system of ordnance?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONSir, two 9-inch and one 7-inch Whitworth guns have been ordered, but the two 9-inch guns have not yet arrived. Four 8-inch guns have been rifled upon Whitworth's principle, but they have not yet arrived. Be- 1296 fore I answer the other Question, perhaps the House will allow me to read a few sentences from a letter I received this morning at the War Office from the Board of Admiralty; it is signed by the Secretary, and written by direction of the Board, and it says—
The Captain of the Excellent having made a further report upon the Whitworth 7-inch gun, after a second trial, I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit and lay before the Secretary of State for War a Copy of that Report, with the remarks of the Director General of Naval Ordnance. My Lords desire the attention of Sir John Pakington to be called to the position in which this department is placed. My Lords consider that from the Reports upon the gun now received it is clear that the gun is inferior to the present service gun, and is not suited for Her Majesty's Naval Service, and they could not recommend its being placed in any one of Her Majesty's Ships.The noble Lord will not be surprised that my answer to the latter part of the Question is that we have not at present any intention to order more guns to be rifled on Mr. Whitworth's plan. If he wishes, I shall be happy to lay the letter and Report on the table.