§ MR. DONKIN (Tynemouth)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the Russian Government have just contracted with Messrs. Yarrow to build a torpedo destroyer with a guaranteed speed of 29 knots, Her Majesty's Government have, in their contracts for such class of vessels, stipulated for an equal speed?
*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHWe are not aware under what conditions the speed of 29 knots mentioned in the question is to be attained; but the Admiralty will always, as heretofore, stipulate for the maximum obtainable speed consistent with the other necessary qualifications of this type of vessel.