HC Deb 17 June 1936 vol 313 cc970-1
14. Commander BOWER

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in view of the vulnerability of the existing home ports of the Royal Navy to air attack from the Continent of Europe, steps are being taken to develop and equip repair stations in regions of the British Isles beyond the reach of effective air attack from the Continent?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Samuel Hoare)

The Admiralty are giving the fullest consideration, in conjunction with the other Departments concerned, to the question of the maintenance in war of docking and repair facilities for the Fleet—both as re- gards the defence of existing dockyards against air attack and the provision of alternative facilities.

Commander BOWER

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that in any decision which may be come to considerations of defence will take precedence of political and economic considerations which might, otherwise, make it undesirable to do away with some of our existing repair stations?

Sir S. HOARE

We shall certainly keep constantly in mind the paramount importance of military considerations.