§ MR. A. B. FORWOOD (Lancashire, S.W., Ormskirk)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty when, will the trials of the Belleville boilers fitted on the Sharpshooter commence; what length of time are they to occupy at sea; will instructions be given to maintain an indicated horse-power in proportion to the full-designed power of the machinery, so as to secure a thorough test of the boilers and their consumption of fuel; and what is the average power it is proposed should be developed?
*THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH, Lancashire, N.E., Clitheroe)said, the boiler trials in the Sharpshooter will commence in a few days' time. I shall be happy to give my right hon. Friend a copy of the programme of the trials so far decided upon. Any further trials considered desirable will be considered on the completion of this programme.
§ MR. W. ALLAN (Gateshead)asked whether it was the fact that on the first trial of the Ohio, which was fitted with the Belleville boilers, one of them burst and injured the firemen?
*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHsaid, he could hardly answer for any but Her Majesty's ships, and the Ohio was not one of Her Majesty's ships. He thought his hon. Friend should seek for information from the company to whom the ship belonged.
§ MR. FORWOODasked if the right hon. Gentleman could give any closer indication as to the time for the boiler trials in the Sharpshooter, and whether it was not the fact that the Ohio was the first English merchant vessel which had adopted similar boilers to those which had been adopted in Her Majesty's Navy?
§ MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston)asked if it was the fact that the Admiralty had practically no information about the Ohio; he thought it was of great importance that the Admiralty 1253 should get information as to the practical experience of private companies in regard to such matters?
*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHsaid, the Admiralty would be very much more interested in subsequent performances of the Ohio than in the very first performance which she had made, under conditions of which he was not fully aware. It would be very interesting to the Admiralty to obtain information as to the experience in the Merchant Navy of such boilers. With respect to the question of his right hon. Friend, he really thought that "a few days' time" was sufficient indication; he would not like to tie himself to any day this week, but he believed the Sharpshooter would really be ready this week.
§ MR. HANBURYasked if it was intended to have a very short trial or a long continuous trial at sea?
§ MR. FORWOODasked if the programme would be laid on the Table?
*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHsaid, he did not think there would be any advantage in laying the programme on the Table, but he would give a copy to any hon. Member. The trials would occupy a considerable time, and would be very thorough.
§ MR. HANBURYasked if the trial would last for days, weeks, or months?