§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether be is aware that on the arrival of H.M.S. Crocodile with the 6th Dragoon Guards on November 20th the regiment was unable to disembark for 24 hours, owing to the fact that the only landing-stage not under repair was in the occupation of H.M.S. Euphrates; and, whether he will take steps that further accommodation shall be provided?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing), in reply, said, owing to repairs at present in progress, it was not possible to berth the Crocodile alongside the troop-jetty, until the Euphrates, which was at the moment embarking a regiment, had sailed. She was, however, immediately on her arrival placed alongside another 600 jetty to disembark the unattached officers and men. To suit local arrangements, it was decided by the authorities on the spot to defer the disembarkation of the regiment until the troop-jetty was available. There is sufficient ac commodation at Portsmouth Dockyard to meet our troop requirements, and it is not proposed to add to it.