§ MR. BENTINCKsaid, he regretted that the right hon. Baronet would be prevented from answering a question which he had to put concerning a fort which he was informed was about to be constructed in Plymouth Sound. The objections to the proposed fort were both military and naval, and therefore he wished to elicit 1133 answers from the Secretary for War and the Secretary for the Admiralty. It was on the subject of the new fort ordered to be constructed in Plymouth Sound. If the information he had received was correct, the fort in question was, in its position and every other circumstance, of a character so entirely exceptional, that whatever the conclusion at which the House ultimately arrived as to the merits of the Spithead forts might be, he would undertake to prove that the proposed fort in Plymouth Sound could not possibly be placed in the same category. He was told that the fort was to be constructed on an artificial island to be formed in the best part of the anchorage of Plymouth Sound, and that the fort was to be similar to those in course of construction at Spithead. For the information of those not acquainted with Plymouth Sound, he would state that its anchorage was very limited, and it was surrounded on all sides by very high ground, from which it was commanded in every possible direction by forts of the heaviest and most formidable description. Therefore, in a military and defensive point of view, the erection of a battery in the locality in question was quite uncalled fur. But, supposing it could be shown that the fort was necessary for the purposes of defence, he wanted to know why the breakwater itself, which was distant only about 200 yards from the proposed site, had not been selected as the locality for it? The breakwater would afford an ample foundation sufficiently solid for the purpose, without going to the expense of creating an island by throwing large masses of stone into the Sound. He wished to know whether his noble Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty had considered the matter, and whether he would not at once admit, that if the fort were erected on the proposed site, it would spoil the best and most sheltered part of the already limited extent of anchorage within the breakwater. The fort, in fact, would occupy the only part of the anchorage in which vessels could be protected from south-westerly gales. Under these circumstances he thought he was entitled to ask for a full explanation of the reasons that had prompted the commencement of this most extraordinary undertaking. The proposal upon both military and naval grounds was entirely indefensible, and would occasion a mere waste of public money. The House having already strongly expressed its opinion that further inquiry ought to take place before expending money 1134 upon the forts at Spithead, àfortiori the construction of the fort to which his question related ought not to be proceeded with.
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, he believed that according to the original plan the fort alluded to was to have been erected upon the breakwater, but upon reconsideration it was thought more advisable that it should be erected in the sea, near the breakwater. The foundation would not be composed of stones thrown down in the same way as the breakwater, but would be a nearly perpendicular wall. He was sorry that the hon. Gentleman had not brought the question forward during the debate upon the Spithead forts, there being a close affinity between the two questions.
§ MR. BENTINCKAt that time I had never heard of the proposed fort.
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, he regretted the hon. Gentleman's inquiries had been so recent, as it would have been more convenient if the House had had both questions under its notice at the same time. He would, however, make this offer to the hon. Gentleman—he had no objection to refer it to the Defence Commission which had now the subject of the Spithead forts for its consideration, to inquire and report upon the policy of proceeding with the insulated fort in Plymouth Sound. He would not undertake to stop the works, but would undertake to make the reference immediately, and he had no doubt the Report would be ready in a limited time.
§ MR. BENTINCKsaid, he desired to receive an answer to his question from his noble Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty.
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETreplied, that the Defence Commission was composed of officers of both services, and was competent, therefore, to express an opinion upon the naval as well as the military part of the question.