HC Deb 11 July 1904 vol 137 cc1199-200
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, can he state what is the prize-firing record last received of H.M.S. "Centurion," and whether the Board of Admiralty consider it to be satisfactory; have the Admiralty received any report from Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, as Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, to the effect that H.M.S. "Centurion" was unfit to go into action by reason of her defective gun sights; and can he say what steps have since been taken to remedy the defects, and when the Admiralty expect that H.M.S. "Centurion" will be fit to go into action.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, Woodbridge

The prize-firing records are confidential; but it may be stated that the "Centurion's" firing was not as good as on a former occasion referred to in my reply to the hon. Member for Caithness on i8tn April.† That reply covers all the points raised in this Question.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

The latter part of my Question is not covered by that Answer.

MR. PRETYMAN

The Admiralty do not admit that the "Centurion" is not fit to go into action.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Have any steps been taken to remedy the defects?

MR. PRETYMAN

It was stated on a former occasion that improvements and alterations are constantly being made in the sighting and fittings, and when a ship is on a foreign station it is impossible to say at a given moment whether her sights have been altered.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Is the "Centurion" fit to go into action?

MR. PRETYMAN

Yes, Sir.