§ MR. LEICESTER (West Ham, S.)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If it is true that arrangements are being made to remove H.M.S. Benbow from Victoria Docks to a Government dockyard for completion; and, if so, as a large number of men are at the present time engaged on the vessel, which cannot be ready for sea in less than 12 to 18 months, and considering that great dis- 461 tress already prevails in the east of London, whether he could allow the work to be completed in the Victoria Docks?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT) (Oldham)I have to say that, in accordance with the contract, the Benbow will be delivered and removed to Chatham in the course of next summer. The work then remaining to be done in connection with the armament and equipment of the ships is of a character practically necessitating her completion in a Government Dockyard, provision for the cost of which has been made in the Dockyard Vote of 1886–7. Another largo armourclad, the Sanspareil, is building for the Admiralty by the same contractors, and is now reaching a stage of progress affording employment to a largo number of men.