§ MR. C. BILL (Staffordshire, Leek)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the fact that in the summer of 1894 the Chamber of Commerce at Gibraltar was officially informed that the Government had decided on the construction of a mercantile mole for that harbour; whether it has been decided that the expense of the construction of this mole is to be provided out of the revenues of the Colony, or by a grant from the Imperial Government; and whether the works in connection with it will be commenced in the present year?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThe Chamber of Commerce was informed that the Secretary of State would be prepared to give his best consideration to any well-devised scheme for improving the facilities for the coaling of merchant 763 vessels at Gibraltar. A scheme prepared by the Admiralty Director of Works has since been received and has been referred to the Governor for report, and until that report has been received and considered no final decision can be arrived at. I regret that I am unable at present to indicate the date at which any works will be commenced. No proposal that the expense of such a work should be paid from Imperial funds has been received by the Secretary of State.