§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)asked the Secretary of State for War, If he can state the designs upon which fortifications are now being constructed for the defence of our coaling stations abroad; the designs of fortifications, and weight of guns, intended to be adopted for the protection of military and commercial harbours at home; whether any of the new defensive works will be so constructed as to resist dynamite shells; and, how far, and in what manner, local Naval Reserves, Militia, and Volunteers are to be organized and utilized in connection with the proposed works?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)In answer to the first two Questions of the hon. Member, I am not prepared to publish to the world the details for which he asks. The details already published were very carefully considered by my Military Advisers and myself; and those only were given which could be given in the interest of the Public Service. In answer to the third Question, I would remind the hon. Member that many of the guns will be mounted on disappearing carriages. In answer to the fourth Question, we propose to utilize to the full all the Auxiliary Forces of every description.
§ MR. GOURLEYasked, whether any works had actually been commenced in connection with our military and commercial harbours?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEsaid, this was a very comprehensive Question to ask. It was rather one for the debate to-night.