ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is true, as reported, that three of the four 12-inch 45-ton guns in H.M.S. Colossus are disabled, owing to the A tubes being cracked near the muzzle; whether the guns in question are of the same mark or type as the gun which burst on board the Collingwood a few years back; whether any spare 12-inch guns are in store at Malta which can be supplied in place of those disabled in the Colossus; if not, is it intended to order another first-class ironclad to the Mediterranean to relieve this disabled ship; and are the guns in question of Woolwich manufacture, or were they supplied by contract?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHIt is not true that the A tubes of three of the 12-inch gnus of the Colossus are cracked near the muzzle. But these three guns have been provisionally con- 1556 demned for scoring after a considerable number of rounds. They will be re-examined at Woolwich to ascertain what repair is wanted before they are again issued for service. They are not of the Mark I. type, like the gun which burst on board the Collingwood. None of those guns are now afloat. The guns of the Colossus have already been replaced by three guns from the Malta Reserve. The guns taken out of the Colossus were of Elswick manufacture.