§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the statement publicly made by an officer recently in command of one of Her Majesty's ships in the Mediterranean, to the effect that the supply of coal for the use of the Royal Navy stored at Gibraltar does not exceed 8,000 tons; whether the figure given is approximately correct; whether it be a fact that the coal capacity of Her Majesty's ships at present in the Mediterranean exceeds 19,000 tons; and whether any steps are in contemplation for increasing the store of coal for the Navy at Gibraltar?
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. E. ROBERTSON,) DundeeThe hon. Member asked a similar question on the 12th September, and I can add nothing to the answer then given— namely, that it would be contrary to policy and practice to make any statement about the amount of coal at Gibraltar.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThen I may take it that the statement made by the officer on this point is true?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThe hon. Member will take nothing but the answer I have given him.
§ MR. W. ALLAN (Gateshead)Are the coal stores at Gibraltar protected from fire and bombardment?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI am afraid I must ask for notice of that question.