MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Belleville water-tube boilers for Her Majesty's Navy are obtained direct from French makers, or through an agent in this country; if through an agent, what is the name of the agent, and whether any, and if so what, commission is paid to him, by or on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, on the Belleville boilers fitted to Her Majesty's ships; and whether the new cruisers Powerful and Terrible are to be fitted with Belleville boilers; if so, what the amount will be (if any) of the commission to be paid on these boilers; to whom and by whom that commission will in the first instance be paid; and whether it will appear in the Estimates?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe Belleville water-tube boilers for experimental trial in the Sharpshooter 847 were obtained direct from the French makers who are the patentees. The new cruisers Powerful and Terrible will be fitted with Belleville boilers to be made in this country by the contractors for the machinery. As regards the Navy, there are no agents, and, therefore, no commissions will be paid. The question of royalty will be dealt with by the Admiralty direct with the patentees.