§ Mr. FELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if Germany will have, in the course of the next three years, eight docks capable of containing the largest battleships and one floating dock; and if these docks are concentrated round the mouth of the Elbe, and all available for the use of a fleet requiring rapid repairs to be effected?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf the docks at Wilhelmshaven and Bremerhaven can be considered as concentrated round the mouth of the Elbe the present state of affairs is as follows:—
§ Docks capable of taking battleships now building in Germany:
| Wilhelmshaven | … | 3 |
| Bremerhaven | … | 1 |
| Hamburg | … | 2 (floating). |
§ In the course of the next three years there may be added:—
| Bremerhaven | 1 |
| Hamburg | 1 (floating). |
| Kiel (might conceivably be transferred to the Elbe) | 1 (floating). |
§ Total in three years:—
| Dry docks | … | … | 5 |
| Floating | … | … | 4 |
| 9 |
§ These docks would doubtless all be available for the fleet in case of necessity.
2021§ Mr. RENWICKArising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if these docks can take these large ships at full draught or at a diminished draught?
§ Mr. McKENNAI believe that the docks in question can take the ships at full draught.