ADMIRAL MAYNE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether ho can state what progress is being made in the arrangements for the construction of the dry docks at Gibraltar and Bombay?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingA small Committee are now considering various questions in connection with the construction of a dock at Gibraltar, and I. hope that before the close of the financial year the work may be in hand. The question of the construction of a dock at Bombay out of Imperial funds has been postponed for the present, owing to the extraordinary demands upon the Exchequer in respect of other works of urgent importance. I am, however, glad to add that a dock is in course of construction by the Port Trust, which will be 500ft. in length and capable of accommodating any but the largest ironclads.
ADMIRAL MAYNEI beg to give notice that when the Admiralty Vote comes on I will raise the question whether or not the Admiralty is responsible for providing adequate dock accommodation.