§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithnessshire)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state the reasons 1320 which have induced the Lords of the Admiralty to alter the designs of the cruisers of the "County" class; and what alterations have been, or are to be, made in these ships.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo alterations have been made in the design of the first ten ships of the "County" class, except that in three cases Belleville boilers have given place to other types of water-tube boilers. In the case of the last six ships of the class—(1) the thickness of the armour was increased from 4 inches to 6 inches to enable them to better withstand modern projectiles. This modification involved an increase in displacement of about 500 tons. (2) The number and type of guns forming the auxiliary armament was altered, and 7.5 inch guns fore and aft. (3) Certain internal modifications have also been made to enable the ships to carry a combination of cylindrical and water-tube boilers. No other changes in the design are contemplated.