§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he would state on what date the keel-plates of H.M.S. Majestic were laid down, and in what dock?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe keel-plates of the Majestic have not yet been laid in the dock. Had that been done, say, a month or six weeks ago the work would have been retarded owing to inclement weather; whereas by the arrangements made by the yard officers to lay the keel temporarily under a covered shed, thus permitting the other component parts of the hull to be lifted to it, the progress of the work is really being expedited, though technically the keel is not laid. Up to the 30th of December the expenditure on the Majestic was, for labour £1,591, and materials £3,868—total £5,459. This tolal will be probably increased to nearly £60,000 by the 31st of March next.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERMay I ask whether this was the ship alluded to by the First Lord of the Admiralty on November 2 as having been laid down on that day, and which dock was available for the vessel?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have no doubt my noble Friend alluded to the Majestic and the Magnificent as ships the building of which was to be commenced during the present year, but I have not a report of the speech by me.
§ MR. MACARTNEYHad the Dockyard Authorities private information as to the inclement weather coining on, and was that why they adopted this course?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIs the House to understand that the statement of the First Lord was incorrect?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have already answered that question. Measures have been taken fur the commencement of the vessel, but in the technical sense the keel has not been laid down.
§ [No answer was given.]