§ MR. BOND (Nottingham, E.)I beg-to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the attention of the Admiralty has been drawn to the danger arising in time of war from the use of wood fittings and fixtures in iron warships, as demonstrated by occurrences in the recent war between Spain and America; and whether any, and what steps have been taken to obviate such danger in the case of vessels already built or in process of construction.
MR. GOSCHENI need scarcely say that my most earnest attention has been given to this matter, and the attention of successive Boards of Admiralty has been constantly directed to reducing the danger of fire on board men-of-war in action, not only as a result of recent experience but for many years previously. It has been the endeavour to reduce the wooden fittings in ships to the narrowest limits compatible with comfort and habitability. Risks of fire are not only dealt with by minimising the use of wood, but much attention has been given to the greater efficiency of the fire service. Metal substitutes for wooden fittings have been tried where found suitable, and in ships now under construction non-inflammable wood is being largely used. As regards the older ships it will be our endeavour to minimise the danger of fire in these ships as far as possible when they are undergoing repair.