MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Ad- 233 miralty whether one of the battleships of the Channel Squadron to which an accident happened recently at Berehaven was unable to enter Haulbowline Dock owing to the silting up of sand and refuse at the entrance of the docks; and what steps the Government purpose taking to put the docks in such a condition that ships can enter them to be repaired.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.The accident which occurred to the "Prince George," the battleship apparently referred to, was the breaking of a derrick. There was no occasion to dock the ship to repair this. The dock at Haulbowline is quite capable of taking the "Prince George" if required. The "Howe" (drawing about a foot more than the "Prince George") was docked there on the 8th May, 1899. The entrance will, no doubt, require dredging periodically; this will be undertaken whenever it becomes necessary.