HC Deb 13 May 1909 vol 4 cc2019-20
Mr. LONSDALE

I desire to ask the first Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any official information showing that the number of docks built, building, or immediately contemplated for German "Dreadnoughts" is 12, comprising eight Government docks and four private floating docks, of which nine will be accessible from the North Sea; and whether he is now in a position to say what provision, other than the works at Rosyth, is to be made this year towards supplying dry-dock accommodation for British "Dreadnoughts" on the East Coast of Great Britain?

Mr. McKENNA

Presuming that two docks are to be built at Brunsbuttel, and regarding them as coming within the category of "immediately contemplated," though there is no official intimation on either of these points, it may be said that built, building and projected there are 12 docks understood to be capable of taking the German battleships now under construction. This number includes:—

  • 7 Government docks,
  • 2 private dry docks,
  • 3 private floating docks.
Ten docks will be accessible from the North Sea, the other two are at Kiel; but one of these, a floating dock, might conceivably be transported to the Elbe in case of necessity. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. LONSDALE

Are the Government taking any steps whatever to supply the acknowledged deficiency of dry-dock accommodation on the East Coast?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, Sir.

Mr. LONSDALE

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inform the House what steps have been taken?

Mr. McKENNA

The hon. Member is aware that Rosyth is being proceeded with.

Mr. LONSDALE

How many docks will there be at Rosyth capable of receiving a "Dreadnought"?

Mr. McKENNA

The question asked me by the right hon. Gentleman was whether the Government were taking any steps to provide docks on the East Coast, and I said, "Yes, at Rosyth."

Mr. LONSDALE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that whilst Germany will have twelve docks capable of receiving "Dreadnoughts," we shall only have one?

Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order. The hon. Member asked a question and receives an answer, and then he repeats the same question.

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