§ 21. Mr. LAMBERTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that now the German naval menace is removed and the Devon-port Dockyard establishment will have to be reduced, he will give facilities for the development of Plymouth as a commercial port and a commercial ship-repairing base?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The Admiralty have received a deputation urging the point put by my right hon. Friend. It is prepared to consider favourably any proposals which may be submitted which will not prejudice the naval purposes for which the establishment will still be needed.
§ Mr. LAMBERTMay I ask whether that has not been the reason all along for refusing to develop Plymouth as a commercial port, and now that Devon-port Dockyard must be reduced, cannot Plymouth be developed as a merchant port?
§ Dr. MACNAMARARepresentatives of the borough came as a deputation to the Board, and we are awaiting any suggestion they can make for the use of certain docks for commercial purposes. I think I may safely say we shall put no difficulty in the way from a naval point of view.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs my right hon. Friend not aware that the deputation from Plymouth and Devonport recently saw the First Lord of the Admiralty, and that all the information he has now given to the right hon. Gentleman opposite was given to the deputation on that occasion?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have just said there was such a deputation.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhy does he want to interfere?