§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the graving dock at present in course of construction at Haulbowline has been shortened considerably from what appears as the stated length on the original plan; and, if so, why was it shortened, and to what extent; whether the said dock at present being built will be capable of receiving first or second class ships of the Royal Navy; whether the expense entailed by the redressing of the stones being used in the construction of the graving dock was caused by the dock being shortened from the originally intended length; and, when the Government propose proceeding with the second graving dock that appears in the original plans and designs?
§ The FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The graving dock at Haulbowline is being carried out at the length shown in the original plan. There was an idea, since abandoned, in 1878 of making it longer, and some stone was procured for this purpose. It will take in first-class ships or any others of the Navy. The stones purchased for lengthening the dock have been re-dressed to suit other parts; but the employment of concrete has also obviated the use of stone in other portions of the dock. The construction of a second graving dock will depend upon whether experience shows such a dock to be necessary.
§ DR. TANNERasked whether the dock had not been shortened by 70 feet?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONsaid, it was intended to have been 478 feet in length, and it was now 410 feet.
§ MR. JOHN O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)inquired whether a serious leakage had not been found in the dock, and whether it was not impossible to carry out the original plan?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONsaid, that last year a certain amount of leakage had been discovered in the dock; but he understood that it had been effectually remedied.