§ SIR EDWARD GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of revolutions per minute and the speed at which the "Bullfinch." was being driven when she broke down in the Solent, also of the torpedo-catcher which met with a similar accident when off Sunderland last week; can he state whether the scantling of the machinery was supplied by the Admiralty or the contractor, and whether he will consider if the machinery used on board torpedo-catchers and torpedo-boats is sufficiently strong to meet the energy with which the engines have to be driven; and will he inform the House why these vessels when on their trial trips are not accompanied by surgeons.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's,) Hanover SquareAs the cause of the accident in the "Bullfinch" is being officially inquired into by a coroner's inquest, it would be improper to make any statement on the subject at present.