ADMIRAL MAYNE (Pembroke and Haverford west)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he will lay upon the Table the Report of the Committee on the existing facilities for Coaling Ships at the Home Ports, the best means of improving the same, and proposals for their rapid extension, 1885; and, whether the Admiralty propose to take any action upon it?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The Report in question is strictly confidential, and could not be made public. Experiments are now being carried out at Portland, with a view to ascertaining how far the system recommended by the 724 Committee can be practically applied to Her Majesty's ships. We propose, when these are completed, to commence improving the present scheme, and it is intended to erect a coaling jetty at Haulbowline recommended by the Committee this year.