MR. LEATHAM BRIGHT (Stoke-upon-Trent)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the Government is aware that iron girders have been placed under the engines of the Hero for the purpose of strengthening them; whether those girders have been placed in position by the responsible engineers of the Government; and who is to bear the expense of the alteration?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)Some small additional strengthening brackets have been fitted to the engine bearers of the Hero. Being part of the hull structure, they were fitted in place by the Dockyard; and as all work on engine bearers, including these additions, is outside the engine contract, the expense is borne by the Admiralty.