§ MR. BILLSONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to statements as to 419 the defenceless condition of the port of Liverpool; whether the forts at Perch Rock and Seaforth are armed with muzzle-loading guns, out of date for shore defence; and whether, seeing that the position of these forts is such that they form a prominent landmark from the sea and would be practically useless in case of attack, some steps will be taken for the better defence of this port?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. W. ST. JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe position of the batteries referred to has been approved by the naval and military advisers of Her Majesty's Government as the most suitable for the purpose. The defences are being materially strengthened by the mounting of quick-firing and breech-loading guns as an addition to the older armaments.