§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the Government intend to carry into effect the recomdations of the Committee appointed to inquire into and report upon the present appliances of Her Majesty's Dockyard at Haulbowline, set out in their Report issued as necessary to complete its fitness 1435 as an emergency dock in time of war and for repairing ships on station in time of peace; and, if so, when will the works be commenced?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. E. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.The Admiralty intend to carry into effect such of the recommendations of the Committee as will render the dockyard at Haulbowline available as an emergency dock in time of war, and Her Majesty's ships will be repaired there, when convenient and practicable, in time of peace. Provision has been made in the current Navy Estimates for purchasing the machinery recommended by the Committee. A large portion has been already ordered, and is expected to be delivered by the time the buildings and foundations are ready to receive the machines. Provision, of £15,000 (part of £34,000) is made in Vote 10, 1896–7, for commencing the work, which will be proceeded with as soon as the Vote is passed.