§ Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State whether, in view of the proposed Army Council by-laws affecting the Sheerness and Grain defences, which 1298 were now under consideration and which, if put in force, would cause from 30 to 40 square miles of the Thames mouth to be entirely closed to certain forms of shipping at specified times, and which would greatly hamper navigation generally in that river, he would consider the possibility of either limiting or altering the suggested area or arranging for as many of the practices as possible to be fired elsewhere?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe area affected by the proposed by-laws has been selected by the Army Council after the most careful consideration, and is in their opinion the minimum consistent with efficient practice from the defences. As it is essential that the troops should be familiarised in time of peace with the guns and defences which they would be called upon to serve in time of war, it would be quite impracticable to carry out the practices elsewhere. The by-laws would not apply to vessels in the ordinary course of navigation.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman promise every reasonable facility for safeguarding the interests of fishermen and yachtsmen on either side of the shore of the Thames?
§ Mr. HALDANEWe shall do all we can, and every consideration will be shown to fishermen and yachtsmen; but the interests of national defence come before individual convenience.