§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, with regard to the Return of Naval Works, whether the apparent lessening of expenditure during the current financial year, as compared with the last financial year, and the estimated average for each year, in the case of Dover involves retardation in that case; and similarly with regard to Gibraltar Dockyard Extension.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) There will be no retardation of the works at Dover and Gibraltar Dockyard Extension during the present year. The figures in Column 5 of the Return do not show the estimated expenditure for the current financial year, but the amount remaining available for that year out of the provision made for the two years expenditure in the Naval Works Act, 1901. In the case of both Dover and Gibraltar Dockyard Extension the rate of progress has exceeded anticipations, and it is estimated that fully as much, or more, will be spent during 1902–3 than in 1901–2. The excesses on the amount available for these items will be met out of the amounts provided for other items upon which the rate of progress has been less than was expected.
† See page 493.