§ Mr. MAITLAND(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there is any truth in the statement that the Sheerness Royal Dockyard is to be closed down?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Austen Chamberlain)No, Sir; there is no foundation whatever for that report, and I much regret that before it was circulated no inquiry was made of the Admiralty as to its accuracy.
§ Mr. MAITLANDThis is a matter of vital importance to a large number of my constituents, and may I be permitted to thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply.