HC Deb 07 February 1887 vol 310 c756
SIR WILLIAM CROSSMAN (Portsmouth)

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is intended to make the harbour of Castries, in St. Lucia, one of the coaling stations for Her Majesty's Fleet; how much has been voted by the Legislature of the Island for the improvement of the harbour; and, if Castries is made a coaling station, whether the place will be put in a proper state of defence, and the headquarters of the troops stationed in the Windward and Leeward Islands moved from Barbadoes to St. Lucia?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

(who replied) said: Yes, Sir, the harbour of Castries, in St. Lucia, is to be a naval coaling station; £70,000 has been voted by the Legislature of the Island for the improvement of the harbour, and the place will be fortified as soon as Parliament votes the necessary funds. The troops will be moved from Barbadoes to St. Lucia.