§ 25. Colonel DAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the floating dock surrendered to Britain under the Treaty of Versailles is to be sold to the highest bidder, without restriction as to what country it shall ultimately be destined; whether any offer made by British commercial shipowners will have preferential treatment as against any offers by late enemy nations; and what was the cost of the work that was done at the new naval base at Singapore to fit it ready for this floating dock as at one time intended?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANOne of the three ex German floating docks now remaining in the possession of His Majesty's Government, and not required for naval purposes, has been offered for sale at home and abroad without restriction, and no decision can be given as to the final allocation of the dock until all tenders, which are shortly due, have been received. I may add that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in supposing that this is the dock which was intended for Singapore.