§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the announcements of the representatives of the War Office on the Military Works Bills of 1897 and 1899 that the War Office had been obliged to propose the greater part of an expenditure of several millions, afterwards agreed to in those Acts, under urgent pressure from the Navy, the present Board of Admiralty propose to institute a change of policy leading to the abandonment of mine fields and quick-firing batteries; and, if so, when a statement will be made upon the subject.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) It is not proposed, so far as the Admiralty are aware, to abandon quick-firing batteries, nor is it proposed to abandon electric lights in cases where the latter are essential to the efficiency of the gun defence. The question of mine defence is under consideration.