MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN&c.) (Stirling,asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the construction of Fort Twydall, near Chatham, is now completed; and, what is the result of this new experiment in defensive works as compared with the older type of forts in respect of cost, time occupied in construction, and efficiency?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)One of the forts defending the Twydall position, near Chatham, is completed; the other will, I hope, be taken in hand next year, when some important experiments as to its construction have been carried out. Under certain conditions—as, for example, when a regular siege has not to be resisted—a fort of the Twydall typo would be efficient, highly economical, and rapidly constructed; but there are many cases in which regular forts would still be indispensable.