§ LORD PORTMANsaid, that being deeply interested in that part of the county of Somerset which adjoined the Bristol Channel, he wished to put a Question to the Secretary for War. In order to provide some defence on that part of the coast against attacks in case of war the Government had already purchased sites for the erection of fortifications. No steps, however, had been taken to construct those works, and he wished to know what the intentions of the Government were in respect of those sites?
EARL DE GREY AND RIPONsaid, it was true that the Government had acquired sites for defensive works upon the coast of the Bristol Channel. His predecessor, Sir George Lewis, in framing the Estimates for the present year, had not thought it right to include any sum for the purpose of executing the works upon those sites. All that he could say was, that he was not indifferent to the importance of the matter of the defences of the Bristol Channel, and the subject should receive his careful attention.
§ House adjourned at a quarter before Six o'clock, till To-morrow half past Ten o'clock.