HC Deb 22 April 1914 vol 61 cc900-1
10. Mr. MIDDLEMORE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the naval harbour at Dover was completed; what was its total cost; what is the berthing accommodation provided; and how many battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, respectively, have visited the harbour during the last six months?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The main harbour works were completed about the end of 1909 at a total cost of approximately £3,500,000. Certain subsidiary works, of which the cost is approximately £400,000, are still in hand and are expected to be completed by September, 1915. Eight large ships and fourteen destroyers can at present be moored or anchored, and under certain conditions seven more large ships can lie alongside. Another trot for destroyers is about to be laid and a basin for submarines is under construction The ships that have visited it during the past six (winter) months are cruisers of all sizes, 18; destroyers, 28; torpedo boats, 10; submarines, 7.

Mr. MIDDLEMORE

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to undertake any work to make the harbour more useful?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The future of Dover Harbour has been carefully considered, and no doubt in the future some works will be undertaken to improve the character of the protection for the vessels which enter it At present the only new work on which we are engaged is increasing the height of the parapet of the detached mole.