HC Deb 04 August 1887 vol 318 c1169
MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN&c.) (Stirling,

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the construction of Fort Twydall, near Chatham, is now completed; and, what is the result of this new experiment in defensive works as compared with the older type of forts in respect of cost, time occupied in construction, and efficiency?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

One of the forts defending the Twydall position, near Chatham, is completed; the other will, I hope, be taken in hand next year, when some important experiments as to its construction have been carried out. Under certain conditions—as, for example, when a regular siege has not to be resisted—a fort of the Twydall typo would be efficient, highly economical, and rapidly constructed; but there are many cases in which regular forts would still be indispensable.