§ 65. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of men stationed at the Gravesend Fort, and the nature of their duties; and whether the fort is reckoned as an integral part of the defences of the country?
The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Lieut.-Colonel Guinness)There are two forts in the neighbourhood. New Tavern Fort is at present empty and disused, and the question of its disposal will be taken up when decisions have been given on the general question, now under review, of coast defence policy. Shornmead Fort is used to house men of the Royal Engineers Training Battalion, who are sent there from Chatham for musketry. There were 186 men there on 1st July last. The coast defence arrangements at present authorised do not reckon either fort as an integral part of the defences of the country.