§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the bottom of H.M.S. "Victorious" is in such a condition that her speed is reduced by 2½ knots; whether, in consequence of the above circumstances, the "Victorious" is about to be recalled because there is no dry dock under British control in the China Seas capable of safely docking her; and whether the Government will take steps to provide efficient dock accommodation?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)No report has been received as to the speed of the "Victorious" having been reduced by 2½ knots. The answer to the second question is in the negative. Besides the dock at Kowloon, there is no other dock under British control in the China Seas where she could be docked. In the reply to a question by the right honourable Baronet the Member for the Forest of Dean, I stated that the Admiralty have now under consideration a proposal to construct a dock of their own as part of the dockyard extension provided for in the Naval Works Acts.