HC Deb 16 June 1884 vol 289 cc404-5
MR. W. H. SMITH

asked 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-BANNERMAN

The 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 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.