§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the reason for the delay in the completion of the three armoured cruisers of the "Invincible" class which were to have been finished in thirty months.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe contract date of the completion of the three ships of the "Invincible" class has not yet been reached; but there has undoubtedly been delay in their construction, principally due to the fitting of magazine cooling apparatus, and, in the case of the "Invincible" and "Inflexible," labour troubles.
§ MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the cause of the delay in the construction of the battleships "Lord Nelson" and "Agamemnon," and will he take steps to ensure that such delays shall not occur again.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe delay in the completion of these vessels is due in the main to the fitting of magazine cooling apparatus and other alterations considered necessary during the construction of the ship—and in the case of the "Lord Nelson," to labour troubles, and of the "Agamemnon," to an accident to her 231 rudder which necessitated a new one being made and fitted. All possible steps are being taken to prevent delays.