CAPTAIN HARRISbegged to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the question of which he had given notice—namely, "whether the works now in course of construction off Cheesman Head were undertaken with a view of forming a harbour of refuge at Dovor; and if so, whether there was any objection to the plan and estimate on the table?" Two most distinguished and competent officers (Sir H. Douglas and Sir W. Symonds) had expressed their opinion that the holding ground was decidedly bad, and that it would not be expedient to select it as a harbour of refuge. It was with a view to ascertain the facts of the case that he had put the question.
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUERsaid, probably the best answer which he could give to that question would be to repeat the answer which he had given to the Committee which had sat last year on the Navy Estimates. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman opposite would refer to the evidence he had then given, a complete answer would be found to his question. It was true that the commissioners appointed to examine into the state of harbours had reported as the hon. and gallant Gentleman had said; but although a variety of opinions had existed with respect to the site of a harbour of refuge, all alleged that it would be of great service to extend the pier alluded to. That the Government had done, and had undertaken that portion of the work in such a manner that it might be stopped at its conclusion, or if a larger plan were to be adopted, that which was completed might form part of the work. The right hon. Gentleman then said, that whether the smaller plan, which involved the expenditure of 2,000,000l, or of the larger one, estimated at 2,500,000l. were adopted, the execution of this work would, in no way affect the general object of the harbour of refuge. It was only intended to run out Cheesman's Head quay about 61 800 feet, and that work would be complete in itself, or it night form a part of a larger work; but whether it was one or the other, it would be productive of one great advantage, by preventing the injury that was likely to accrue from the choking up of Dover harbour by shingle.
§ MR. HUMEhoped the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer would lay before the House a report of the progress made in the works, and what was to be done; the amount expended, and the amount that would be required.
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUERsaid, the hon. Gentleman would find, on referring to the evidence given by him last year, that he had stated what was expended up to that time, and what would be required.
§ Subject at an end.