HC Deb 22 October 1908 vol 194 cc1339-40
MR. RENWICK (Newcastle-on-Tyne)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the relative aggregate cost of British and of foreign granite in the contract for the Portsmouth lock, in regard to which contract the

The numbers include. 1st January, 1906. 1st October, 1908.
Officers 478 465
Warrant officers 41 47
Non-commissioned officers and men 17,798 16,736
Total 18,317 17,248
CAPTAIN CRAIG

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to reduce still further this valuable branch of the service?

MR. MCKENNA

There is no general intention to reduce the numbers.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

Why has it been so far reduced?

cost of granite to be used is estimated to be about £55,000; and whether he will state if the preference given to British granite was because it was cheaper than foreign granite.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

The lowest tender for the whole work was accepted, and the successful firm proposes to employ British granite.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)

Will the same course be adopted in the case of Rosyth?

MR. MCKENNA

I am unable to say at present.