MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether Her Majesty's Government have in contemplation any plan for protecting vessels of Her Majesty's Fleet from torpedo boat attacks by means of building breakwaters so as to make, in anchorages specially exposed to such attacks, like those at Portland and Gibraltar, an enclosed harbour capable of being altogether shut up by booms; and whether, before finally adopting any such plan, they will consult the experts in coast defence?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH, Lancashire, Clitheroe)The necessity of arranging adequate measures of defence for Her Majesty's Fleet against all 633 classes of attack always occupies the attention of the Admiralty, who enjoy the advantage of expert advice.