HC Deb 03 May 1909 vol 4 cc721-2
Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say when the designs of the new floating docks will be completed?

Mr. McKENNA

No definite date can yet be given.

Mr. ASHLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that there are, at German North Sea ports, two floating docks capable of accommodating ships of 36,000 tons, and that the German Government is building one with a capacity of 40,000 tons for use at Kiel, he will state when the Admiralty is likely to decide whether the two docks provided for in this year's Estimates are to be capable of docking "Dreadnoughts" or only torpedo craft?

Mr. McKENNA

The decision will be arrived at in time to spend the money taken in the Estimates for the purpose.

Mr. ASHLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the money is sufficient to give us docks to take "Dreadnoughts "?

Mr. McKENNA

The money taken in the Estimates is the amount the Admiralty consider necessary for the year.

Mr. ASHLEY

But will the docks take "Dreadnoughts" or only small craft?

Mr. McKENNA

It will depend upon when the work on the docks is begun.

Mr. ARTHUR LEE

The right hon. Gentleman informed the House on the Navy Estimates that these docks were not intended for "Dreadnoughts," but for small craft. Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any change of policy?

Mr. McKENNA

I informed the House that no decision on that point had been taken. The decision has not yet been taken.

Mr. ARTHUR LEE

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly read his speech? That is not what he said.

Mr. McKENNA

I have not read the speech; but I do not know whether I am correctly reported.

Mr. LONSDALE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to announce the conclusions at which the Government have arrived as the result of the consideration now being given to the question of providing on the East Coast of Great Britain dry docks capable of accommodating "Dread noughts" when in need of repair?

Mr. McKENNA

No date can yet be given.

Mr. REES

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has seen a statement in "The Engineer" to the effect that Germany is constructing six—

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order. Quotations from newspapers at question time are not allowed.