§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is a twenty-five-foot patch in the fairway into Portsmouth Harbour; if so, how long has this obstacle been known to exist; whether the fairway was dredged some years ago to an average depth of thirty feet; whether he is aware that the fairway has silted up to an average of twenty-six to twenty-seven feet low-water springs; and why, in view of the increased draughts of the new type of battleships, any part of the channel has been allowed to silt up to the extent indicated?
§ Mr. McKENNATwo patches of twenty-six feet exist on the outer bar, but no depth of twenty-five feet is known of in any part of the fairway. The inner bar has been dredged to a depth of twenty-nine feet, and this depth is maintained throughout. I have not yet been able to verify the statement as to the dredging carried out some years ago.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESIs it not the fact that a battleship can only get into Portsmouth Harbour or out of it either at high tide or half flood?
§ Mr. McKENNANo; these are the depths at low-water springs, and low-water springs are not a constant occurrence.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESNo, but they come.
§ Mr. McKENNAYes.