MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state upon what grounds Her Majesty's Government have come to the decision to depart from the engagement they gave last year that the Jamaica Dockyard should be abolished; whether the abolition of this dockyard was last year decided upon in accordance with the recommendation of the Admiral on the Station; and whether any subsequent recommendation of a contrary tenour has since been received from that Admiral?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI am not aware of any engagement having been given last year that the Jamaica Naval Yard should be abolished. The present Admiral on the Station is in favour of a reduction of the establishment, his opinion being based on the use made of Port Royal by Her Majesty's ships stationed in the West Indies in peace time. A Committee was appointed by the Admiral to report on the subject of the proposed reductions, and their Report has been received and considered. It has been decided not to make any change at present.
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHIf the hon. Member will refresh his memory by reference to the Parliamentary Debates he will find that what I have stated is accurate.