§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been directed to the fact that H.M.S. Resolution, which put into Queenstown Harbour in a disabled condition last week, has been compelled to proceed in that state to Plymouth, owing to the absence of necessary appliances at the Haulbowline Docks; and whether, in view of the risk incurred in sending leaking ships across the Channel, and the danger that might arise under similar circumstances in time of war, the Admiralty will consider the desirability of taking prompt steps to furnish these docks with the requisite machinery in order to make Queenstown an effective harbour of refuge?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeIt was considered preferable in this case to send the Resolution to Devonport to make good defects. She was not in a disabled condition. The equipment of Haulbowline is receiving attention, as I have indicated in previous statements.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs it not a fact that Queenstown is the finest natural harbour in the United Kingdom and the most convenient for disabled ships making up the Channel; is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that a Naval Commander-in-Chief on the Irish Station has described Haulbowline Dock as one of the best built docks in the world?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have no doubt the dock is au excellent one, and Queenstown an admirable harbour of refuge.