§ Mr. ASHLEYasked whether H.M.S. "Invincible" has carried out any of the regular gunlayers' tests since she was first commissioned; whether any practice, and, if so, what, has been made with her heavy guns; and whether he can state if the experiment of fitting this ship with electrically-worked apparatus for her gun turrets instead of the hydraulically-worked system has rendered this "Dreadnought" cruiser practically inefficient in the matter of gun-fire up to the present time?
§ Mr. McKENNAGunlayers' test with 4-inch guns has been carried out. No practice has been carried out with heavy guns. It is not the case that the "Invincible" has been unable to fire her guns, due to defects in electrically-worked apparatus; but it has been considered advisable to make certain alterations, chiefly of a mechanical nature, found necessary by experience before carrying out the annual firings with heavy guns.
§ Mr. ASHLEYThen are we to understand that this electrically-worked apparatus is to be retained?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, the hon. Gentleman may understand that.