§ MR. HOLT (Northumberland, Hexham)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state what is the time usually occupied by the annual refit of a first-class battleship; what is the nature of the work then executed; and whether, for the better information of Members, he will exhibit a detailed statement of the work executed and the expense incurred in a recent normal annual refit.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe time usually occupied in carrying out the annual refit of a battleship is from five to eight weeks. The work executed is docking, cleaning and coating bottom 1817 with composition, examination of underwater fittings, making good defects of hull, engines, boilers, auxiliary machinery, boats, gun, torpedo and electrical fittings, and canvas gear. The cost varies from £4,000 to £7,000.