§ MR. ADDISON (Ashton-under-Lyne)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, By what firm of contractors H.M.S. Australia was built, and what was the contract price; whether this is the ship to which reference has been made by the noble Lord the Member for South Paddington, as showing the superiority of contract to Dockyard work; whether the ship has been sent to Chatham for completion, and what was the estimated cost of such completion; whether, on the examination of the ship for the purpose of the intended alteration, the Admiralty received a Report from their officers at Chatham as to the construction of the ship; what was the nature of such Report; whether an official recommenda 68 tion has been made to the Admiralty to return the Australia to the contractors; and, what steps the Admiralty have taken, and intend to take, in reference to the Australia, in consequence of the Reports they have received?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The Australia was built by Messrs. Napier and Sons, of Glasgow, and the contract price for hull was £154,960, and for engines £63,375. I understand that this is the ship referred to by the noble Lord the Member for South Paddington (Lord Randolph Churchill). She has been sent to Chatham for completion; but the estimated cost for carrying out the work has not yet been received. The Report of Survey, which was received yesterday, states that the ship has been well and carefully built; but that a few of the minor fittings and internal arrangements require alteration. No recommendation has been made to the Admiralty to return the Australia to the contractors. The recommendations contained in the Report are now under consideration.