§ * SIR CHARLES DILKEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether he can state now long the "Irresistible" of the 1897 Programme will have been in building before she is in commission, and what is the cause of the delay.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The "Irresistible" was laid down at Chatham on the 11thApril, 1898; she has been commissioned this day at Chatham. The period which has elapsed between the commencement and the commissioning of the ship, is therefore 3 years and 10 months, which is 10 months in excess of the period anticipated. The delay arose in consequence of the late delivery of the propelling machinery by the contractors, the contractors for the machinery having gone into liquidation. There was also a delay in the delivery of the 12-inch gun mountings.