HC Deb 10 August 1870 vol 203 cc1768-9
MR. EASTWICK

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has any objections to state the reasons why a plan for fortifying Falmouth, which has been for some years deposited in the War Office, has not been carried out.

MR. CARDWELL

I am informed, Sir, by the Inspector General of Fortifications that the last time the defences of Falmouth were reported upon was by a joint Naval and Military Committee in 1858. They proposed no addition to the then existing works and armaments, which they considered sufficient for its defence as a commercial port. They made some observations to the effect that, if it were considered necessary to protect Falmouth from being seized by an enemy with a view to military operations in that locality, additional defences would be necessary. They made, however, no specific proposal. Immediately afterwards the great fortifications at Plymouth were determined upon, and their execution commenced.