HC Deb 10 March 1898 vol 54 cc1230-1
MR. H. KIMBER (Wandsworth)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government are prepared to consider the propriety of availing themselves of the Calliope Dry Dock accommodation now in existence at Auckland, New Zealand, especially in view of the fact that the present available docking and repairing accommodation for the Australian fleet is situated 1,200 miles westerly therefrom; whether they have valuable land adjoining the dock, where economical buildings could be erected and machinery supplied for undertaking repairs to Her Majesty's ships in cases of emergency; and whether the Government would be willing to make a complete statement upon the subject when the Works Vote No. 10 comes before the House, or when Vote 8 for supply of yard machinery comes up for consideration?

THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.

The Question is now under consideration. I will communicate with the hon. Member when a decision is reached.