§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the dry and floating dock accommodation now under construction in Germany will double the existing equipment in less than six years, and will be capable of accom- 1212 modating battleships and cruisers of much greater dimensions than any existing or projected, and that before the end of 1910 it is expected Germany will have no less than 12 docks, dry and floating, completed and ready for use by warships of the largest class; and whether there will be in 1910 a single dock, dry or floating, on the East Coast of Great Britain capable of accommodating a "Dreadnought?"
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; to the second part—yes, within reasonable limits; and to the third part, in the negative. With regard to the fourth part of the question, I have stated that a floating dock would be constructed in about two years, but if money were no object it could, I believe, be built in half that time, so that it is impossible to say what docks we shall have in 1910.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEWill he, in view of the great urgency of this question, take steps to have this dock built in half the time?
§ Mr. McKENNAAt the present moment, I cannot say what may occur later, at present the Board of Admiralty do not recognise any such question of urgency.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEDoes not the absence of any dock of this description constitute a case of urgency?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; not at the present moment.