§ MR. DALGLISHsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the authorities at the Admiralty intend to try the effect of Whitworth's shells on a target representing the side of the Royal Oak, or of one of the wooden ships which it is proposed to build; and also whether facilities will be afforded to hon. Members to witness those experiments?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, in reply, that undoubtedly it was the intention of the Government to carry out a series of experiments, with a view to test the merits of these shells, mid likewise with respect to the wooden backing of the various classes of ships. He was not prepared at that moment to state what the particular course of the experiments would be; but he could only say that the Government intended to carry on the experiments that had been proceeding from day to day. With respect to the latter part of the lion Gentleman's Question, he could only say, that when any Member of that House would do them the honour to be present 1656 on those occasions, he should be glad to furnish a card, and he was sure that the War Office would be glad to afford a similar facility.