§ MR. GOURLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If it is his intention to substitute on board any of the vessels of the Reserve Squadron breech-loading for muzzle-loading guns; also, upon what system the breech-loading guns already ordered are to be constructed; and, if, in conjunction with the Minister for War, he will be good enough to place upon the Table of the House a copy of the Report of the Naval and Military Officers who attended the experiments made with Krupp guns last autumn at Meppen?
§ MR. A. F. EGERTON,in reply, said, the Question might have been more properly addressed to the War Office, as that Department supplied guns to the Navy. However, he had been informed that the War Office were about to supply breech-loading guns which were made after a pattern approaching that of the French system, although not exactly similar, and that they were now in process of construction. By the "Reserve Squadron" he had no doubt the hon. Member meant the Coast Guard ships, and he could only say respecting their armament that it would follow that of the armour-clad ships in the Navy. The Report of the officers who attended the experiments made with Krupp guns at Meppen was not yet 1174 complete, and it was impossible to say when it would be introduced.