§ MR. DOUGHTY (Great Grimsby)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the defenceless condition of the Humber, and more especially of 629 Hull and Grimsby, in the event of war has been considered by the Admiralty in recent years; and whether, having regard to the great import and export trades to and from the Humber, and to the fact that the Humber is capable under proper conditions of providing admirable shelter for the vessels of the mercantile marine in times of danger, he will impress upon the War Office the necessity for immediately and effectually safeguarding the entrance to the Humber by providing thoroughly efficient shore batteries and land defences?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThe question of the defences of the Humber has been fully considered by the Admiralty in communication with the War Department. I am sure the War Office, equally with the Admiralty, is impressed with the importance of providing thoroughly efficient shore batteries and land defences for the protection of the Humber.