SIR FREDERIC SMITHsaid, he wish-ed to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the projects submitted to the Government in compliance with instructions from the late Lord Melvill, by the late Mr. Rennie, under date of the 27th day of August, 1814, and the 1st day of September, 1821, for the improvement of the navigation of the River Medway and for the extension of Chatham Dockyard, have been under the consideration of the present Board of Admiralty? The plan proposed by Mr. Rennie would have given to the Government 275 acres of floating surface available for the dockyard. At the present time there were only 42 acres of floating surface connected with the whole of the dockyards of this country, while France bad upwards of 375 acres. They were about to expend a million and a half to defend Chatham Dockyard, which was at present inferior in size to the dockyard of Portsmouth, and according to the plan of Mr. Rennie, the Government would be able, at an expense of only £600,000, by altering the course of the River Medway, to produce accommodation for 400 sail of ships of the largest class. This dockyard could be admirably fortified, was in an excellent position with respect to the North Sea, and from its inland locality, could not possibly be attacked by a naval force. There appeared to him to be every reason why Mr. Rennie's project or some plan analogous to it should be undertaken and completed as quickly as possible. If Chatham dockyard were duly extended, the dockyards at Woolwich and Deptford might be dispensed with, and a great saving to the public effected.
§ MR. WHITBREADsaid, that in the absence of his noble Friend (Lord Clarence Paget), he had to state that the circumstances of the country had greatly changed since the Report referred to was presented to the Government nearly forty years ago, and it would not he found advisable now to proceed with the plan of Mr. Rennie, which, had been very carefully considered by the Admiralty. Among other objections to it in the present day would be the one, that it could not have the benefit of railway accommodation without making a railway to cross the wide part of the Med-way, and it would involve the necessity of having the steam outfitting basin a mile higher up the river than that which at present existed. The plan would be attended with very great expense, and would not be serviceable.