CAPTAIN BEAUMONTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War that, inasmuch as a considerable section of the House is opposed to the outlay contingent on the Spithead Forts being constructed to mount two tiers of guns in place of one, Whether he will be willing to re-consider the propriety of reducing the scale on which the Forts on the Horse Sand and No Man's Land Sand are proposed to be constructed, and so effect a saving of —225,000?
§ MR. CARDWELL, in reply, said he hoped the House would remember that in preparing the Bill which had received its approval the whole amount had been reduced below the amount included in the Act of 1867. It was reduced by —491,000 below the estimate of Sir Frederick Grey, and if —75,000 allowed by the Act for unforeseen contingencies were included, the total reduction of the amount was —566,000; and the sum now voted was below the Schedule of 1867 by —85,000. This reduction had been accomplished by giving up works not yet commenced, and postponing other works which might be considered at a future time. The smaller forts had been reduced to one tier, and with regard to the larger forts, it had been considered more truly economical to construct them of two tiers as originally designed. He hoped the hon. and gallant Member would be satisfied with his assurance that the works would be conducted with a strict regard to economy.