§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what docks there are in the Pacific on British Territory large enough to accommodate the cruisers now being built for the Royal Navy?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe following docks in the Pacific on British Territory will accommodate the cruisers now being built for the Royal Navy:
Sydney.—Sutherland Dock (Cockatoo Island), Mort's New Graving Dock, Woolwich.
Esquimalt.—New Dominion Government Dry Dock (practically complete).
Hong Kong.—Taikoo Dockyard Company's Dry Dock, Hong Kong and Whampoa Company's No. 1 Dock.
Singapore.—King's Dock.
§ 13. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what docks exist on British territory in the Pacific capable of accommodating the largest units of the Royal Navy; and what docks of such size are being prepared in the Pacific other than at Singapore?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe following dock existing on British territory in the Pacific is capable of accommodating the largest units of the Royal Navy: Esquimalt—new Dominion Government dry dock, which is practically complete. With regard to the latter part of the question, it is understood that the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company, Hong Kong, are proceeding with the initial stages of their proposed 1,200 feet dry dock.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman considered with the Australian Government an enlargement of the dock accommodation at Sydney in order to take the largest ships?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot say that I have recently, and I cannot without notice tell the hon. and gallant Gentleman when the last communication took place.
§ Mr. PENNYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of selling the land and docks at Hong Kong and devote the proceeds towards the building of the Singapore dock?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman must give notice of that question.