§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total estimated cost of the proposed dredging of the Medway, to allow of the largest men-of-war passing down the river at any high tide; and whether, when this work was completed, and Chatham Dockyard thus made more readily accessible, it will be practicable to close Sheerness Dockyard, thereby saving the establishment charges of the latter?
§ * THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe estimated cost of dredging the Medway is £10,000. As the work carried on at Sheerness Dockyard is on the smaller classes of ships, the deepening of the Medway does not affect its present purpose. It is not considered desirable in Imperial interests to close Sheerness Dockyard.
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham)asked whether arrangements could not be made in connection with Sheerness Dockyard at a less cost than the proposed dredging of the Medway would involve by merely obviating the necessity for the undertaking?
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONThe cost of dredging the Medway will, as I have stated, come to £10,000, but I am quite clear that no large dock accommodation at Sheerness could be obtained for that money.