HC Deb 24 June 1881 vol 262 cc1222-3
MR. W. H. JAMES

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is true, as reported in the Naval and Military Intelligence of the "Times" newspaper of the 21st instant, that drawings are being prepared at the Admiralty for laying down a turret ship which will throw the "Inflexible" into the shade, and approach, in bulk and armament the colossal fighting machines now in course I of building by the Italian Government; and that the new ship is to have a displacement of 13,000 tons, engines working up to 10,000 horses, and an estimated speed of 18 knots?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, the class of fighting ship which should next be laid down is creating great interest and anxiety in every European country which has occasion to maintain a Meet; and it is, therefore, only natural that it should excite great interest in our own, for this country can least of all afford to treat so grave a question lightly. The consideration of that question has been the subject of long and repeated conferences and controversies on the part of the Lords of the Admiralty, and of varied and searching study on the part of their scientific advisers. As in duty bound, these gentlemen have made careful drawings of several classes of vessels, of different designs and sizes, having in mind what is doing in the Italian as well as in the French Dockyards. When the time comes I hope to be able to make an explanation, which may communicate to the House something of the great interest which the Board of Admiralty feels in the question—an interest which has led them carefully to pass in review, in print and in drawings, the different theories of naval construction which are now held in various quarters. They have pretty well made up their own mind on the subject, and I shall be very glad when the time comes to state it.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Can the hon. Member give an estimate of the cost?

MR. TREVELYAN

Yes, Sir; a careful estimate of the cost of the different designs has been made; and we know very well, within what is comparatively a small percentage, what the cost will be.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

What will it be?

MR. TREVELYAN

I will explain that when the time comes.

MR. GORST

asked, whether the hon. Gentleman would be able to inform the House of the type of ship intended to be built before the 1st Vote of the Naval Estimates was taken?

MR. TREVELYAN

replied in the affirmative.