HC Deb 06 July 1877 vol 235 cc816-7
MR. EDWARDS

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether there is any truth in the report that the Admiralty have decided to erect a Naval College at Dartmouth, and that the Grant to be asked for in the Naval Estimates is to be taken for that purpose?

MR. A. F. EGERTON,

in reply, said, the Admiralty had come to the conclusion that Dartmouth was the best site for the proposed Naval College. He was, however, in communication with his right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, from whom he expected an answer immediately, as to whether the Vote for it should be proposed this Session, and if the hon. Gentleman would repeat his Question on Monday, he would probably be able to inform the hon. Gentleman of the final decision of the Admiralty on the subject.

MR. BAILLIE COCHRANE

asked the hon. Gentleman, Whether a distinct pledge had not on three different occasions been given by the First Lord of the Admiralty, that no decision would be come to on the subject until an opportunity for full discussion with respect to it had been afforded the House?

MR. A. F. EGERTON

said, he was not aware what were the exact words which had been used by the First Lord of the Admiralty; but, on referring to the Reports of the debates, he was unable to find anything implying an absolute promise on the part of his right hon. Friend on the subject. So far as he himself was concerned, what he had said on one occasion, in reply to a Question which had been put to him, was that he would assent to the postponement of the Vote for the site for a Naval College, in order that there might be an opportunity of having the matter fully discussed by the House. Well, that being so, it was still open to the House to discuss the question when the Vote came on; but the Admiralty were bound to arrive at a decision in the matter before submitting the Vote.

MR. BAILLIE COCHRANE

asked, Whether the hon. Gentleman thought having a discussion on the question before a Vote was taken was the same thing as having a discussion when the Vote was brought before the House?

MR. A. F. EGERTON

could only repeat that he thought the Admiralty itself was bound to come to a decision before it made any proposal at all.