§ Mr. WILKIEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the large graving dock owned by Messrs. Robert Stephenson and Company, Limited, Hebburn-on-Tyne, is at present the only private dock on the East Coast with blocks and shores to Admiralty requirements; and, if so, whether the Admiralty will consider the advisability of making arrangements so as to secure the use of the said dock for vessels of His Majesty's Navy, and thereby prevent, the possibility of this 2653W dock being dismantled and made unsuitable for docking vessels of His Majesty's Navy?
§ Mr. McKENNAOn the assumption that the question refers to ships of latest design, the reply to the first part is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, no necessity is seen at present for making any such special arrangements.