§ MR. LEWIS (Anglesey)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether an estimate was made by Sir John Hawkshaw, or other person, for removing the Platters Rocks inside Holyhead Harbour; and, if so, what was the estimated costs of removing them down to 25 feet below low water mark and down to 20 feet; whether there has been a new survey of the Platters lately made, and whether, with the improved machinery now in use, they could be removed down to 25 feet at so much less cost than the estimate made by Sir John Hawkshaw; and whether the Department has in its possession a plan of the Platters Rocks; and, if so, whether there would be any objection to produce it?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.In 1888, Sir, John Hawkshaw estimated the cost of removing the Platters Rocks in Holyhead Harbour down to 2G feet below low water at £250,000, and down to 20 feet below low water at £70,000. In December last Mr. Hayter, who has been connected for many years with the 8 harbour, and is thoroughly conversant with the latest improvements in engineering machinery, carefully examined the question, but gave me no ground for believing that removal to the depths mentioned in the hon. Member's question would be less expensive than the sums mentioned by Sir John Hawkshaw. I am considering whether a partial removal to a less depth may not give practically all the advantages which the class of vessels which now use the Harbour of Refuge can desire. Plans and sections were prepared for the purpose of making the Estimates to which I have alluded, but they are not in a form which could well be produced to Parliament, except at a large expense.