HC Deb 27 June 1904 vol 136 cc1235-6
MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the gun sights of H.M.S. "Prince of Wales" at her gunnery trials were pronounced unsatisfactory; whether, since going into commission, the ship's artificers have been engaged under the gunnery lieutenant, with such material as exists on board, in altering the sights of the 6-inch guns; and whether the captain has decided that the 12-inch guns must remain as they are, it being impossible to make them efficient with the means at his disposal.

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

As to the first part of the Question, I must refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Caithness on this subject on 26th February. † As to the latter part of the Question, no such report has been received from the captain of the "Prince of Wales"; but the sight fittings of the ship are not exactly what would now be supplied, and the alterations that the artificers are said to be carrying out are no doubt cross connecting them, and probably fitting large range discs. It has some months ago been decided to do this for the whole service, and trial sets of sights are now being distributed to different ships for report. If favourably reported on, all ships will be supplied. Many ships already have temporary fittings for cross connecting.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Then is it proposed to alter the whole of the sights?

* MR. PRETYMAN

It is not a question of sights. It is a question of fittings. Improvements are being constantly made which involve small alterations. We are now considering the whole matter in the light of a Report from a Committee.