§ MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, considering that the interim Report of the Boiler Committee condemned the Belleville type of boiler as being unsuitable for warships, and that the final Report on the late trials between H.M.S. "Minerva" and "Hyacinth" confirms this decision, it is the intention of the Admiralty to revert to the cylindrical boiler for all the new vessels, now under construction, or which may be ordered, in order to insure their safety and reliability.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAs I informed my hon. friend the Member for Lewisham yesterday,† it has not yet been decided what type of boiler shall be installed in the vessels referred to.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANHas any decision been arrived at in respect of those vessels which are ordered?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir; these vessels are not commenced, and a decision with regard to the boilers to be installed in them has not yet been arrived at. The House is aware what boilers are being installed in vessels already under construction.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANDoes the new Chief Constructor concur in that policy?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThat does not arise out of the Question.