§ MR. HEDDERWICKI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether most of the guns in the forts of the United Kingdom protecting important naval bases and ports are practically obsolete, and are outclassed by modern ship guns; and whether the Government will consent to the immediate appointment of a committee of men of position and experts unconnected officially with the War Office, to inquire locally into and report to Parliament upon the defences of the United Kingdom generally, and the character and adequacy of our garrison artillery in particular.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThe Government does not consider the armament of our harbours satisfactory, and, as I have frequently stated to the House, a conference of three naval and military experts was appointed to go into the whole question. That conference has reported, and its recommendations are being carried out.