§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, To state the nature and cost of the intended alterations and repairs of H.M.S. "Monarch," and probable time that will be required for her completion; if she is to be furnished with compound machinery and increased power of speed; whether her capacity for fuel is to be enlarged; if so, for how many days; and, further, to inquire the intended speed and capacity for fuel of the gun boats ordered to be built during the present financial year?
§ MR. A. F. EGERTON,in reply, said, that the Monarch was to have new boilers, her machinery was to be overhauled by her makers, and other repairs were to be done. The estimated cost was about £50,000. No date was fixed for the completion of the work, but it would probably be about the end of this year. The machinery would not be compound, nor would her speed—which was 14 knots an hour—be increased. Her capacity for fuel would not be enlarged. He knew of no new gunboats to be built during the present financial year.