§ MR. LAIRDsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether, in order to test by actual experiment at sea, the many novelties in the construction and also in the mode of arranging and placing the armament of the four new iron-clad ships of the "Vanguard" class, viz., "Vanguard," "Invincible," "Audacious," and "Iron Duke," it is his intention to send any of these vessels to sea on a trial cruise, or on the next cruise of the Channel Fleet?
§ MR. CHILDERSAlthough I am sure, Sir, that the hon. Gentleman would not generally ask me what particular ships will be put in commission, I appreciate the object of his Question, and beg to inform him that one of those vessels will be put in commission shortly.