MR. R. YORKEasked the hon. Secretary to the Admiralty whether it were true that sixteen iron ships of war had been ordered to be built without previous inquiry of their powers and efficiency for the service; and whether the report of the Admiralty of France, showing the utter inefficiency of iron ships for the purposes of war, was not in the possession of the Government at the time the said ships were ordered?
§ MR. WARDsaid, that the question rather referred to the past Government than the present; but he might state that a return of iron ships of war laid down and launched since the beginning of 1840 had been ordered last night on the Motion of the hon. and gallant Member for Marylebone. With regard to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question, he was not 172 aware of auy report of the French Admiralty showing the inefficiency of iron ships for warfare, or of any extensive experiments having been tried on the subject.