§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked how many dry docks capable of docking "Dreadnoughts" shall we have in the North Sea in 1916 to balance the seven which Germany will have at that date?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not in a position to answer that question, as graving docks can be constructed in less than seven years, and floating docks in less than two years.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREYes, but, Sir—[Cries of "Order, order."]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member seems to be in an argumentative mood. He can only ask a question now. He must found his argument upon it hereafter.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREI beg your pardon, Sir; I was only in a catechetical mood. But I want to know whether or not we will be inferior to the Germans on the date mentioned?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is impossible to say what number of docks we shall have in the year 1916, as we do not know how many will be built between 1909 and 1916.
Sir GILBERT PARKERHow many docks shall we have on the East Coast in 1912 when we will have 17 or 21 "Dreadnoughts"?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe East Coast, 1912? It will depend upon the number of floating docks we shall have then.
§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTYMay I ask whether the Government intend to do anything on the East Coast?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the two floating docks provided for in the Navy Estimates for 1909–10 will be capable of accommodating ships of the "Dreadnought" type?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe designs are under consideration.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREWill they accommodate "Dreadnoughts"—that is the point?