§ MR. WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the nature of the breakdown of the machinery of His Majesty's first class cruiser "Drake," when on her trial on the 6th instant, and when the repairs of His Majesty's first class cruisers "Sutlej" and "Spartiate" will be completed.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The trial of H.M.S. "Drake" was discontinued after thirty hours steaming at twenty-two knots owing to a leakage of salt water in two of the main condensers caused by some ferrules working out of place. It is expected that the machinery repairs of the "Sutlej" and "Spartiate" will be completed, and that the vessels will be able to resume their trials in about ten days time.