§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If the design or model for the 63-ton breech-loading gun for the ships now building in the dockyards is yet approved and accepted by the Admiralty; if it is not, whether he has any information as to the period at which it will probably be submitted for approval; and, if it is approved, whether any progress has been made in the manufacture of the gun; and, when it may be expected that the gun will be completed for trial?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe general design of the 63-ton gun was approved some time ago, so far as the external dimension and ballistics of the gun are concerned. A final and detailed design has now been submitted by the Ordnance Department, and is 405 under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty, by whom it will probably be approved in a day or two. On inquiry, I am informed by the War Office that four of these guns have been ordered and are in process of manufacture; one of them being so far advanced that if the Admiralty's approval is now given the gun will probably be finished for trial in four or five months.