HC Deb 20 March 1890 vol 342 cc1248-9
ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been drawn to the remarks made by His Royal High- ness the Duke of Connaught recently at Bombay, as reported in the Times of Monday last— The recent naval manœuvres had proved exactly what he had expected, namely, that the Bombay defences with their present armament were absolutely useless and could not oppose a naval attack. In the absentce of Admiral Fremantle's fleet in Zanzibar waters, the naval element of defence was quite useless, because the ships were without crews, and had neither gunners nor firemen to enable them to supply the deficiencies of the land defences.

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

The Secretary of State has seen the telegram in the Times purporting to be a report of the remarks attributed to His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught. Arrangements have been made with the War Office for the supply of new armament, and with the Admiralty, subject to the approval of the Treasury, for manning the floating defences.