§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary of State for War (1) if the attention of the high military authority has been called to the ravages and inroads made by the sea during the last eighteen months along certain parts of the highway between Sandgate and Hythe known as the Prince's Road; if the authorities are aware that certain lands owned by the War Department are in consequence threatened in the near future with inundation; and if he will take the necessary steps to induce the authority or authorities responsible for the maintenance of the sea defences to undertake their adequate repair; if he will cause inquiries to be made as to the responsibility of the War Office and of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, respectively, in the matter; if he will cause the question to be dealt with as a matter of urgency on the ground that any further failure to repair the walls before the annual March gales is likely to develop into a menace to the property of the War Office bordering the Military Canal, as well as to a curtailment of the privileges of the public using the right of way along the road which was opened and dedicated to the public by the late Prince Consort more than half a century ago; and (2) if the attention of the War Office authorities has been drawn to the danger threatening the old lifeboat house and the adjoining land owned by the War Department at Sandgate, in the neighbourhood of the terminus of the Military Canal; if he will take the necessary steps to do away with the present refuse heaps in the close proximity of the military bathing place; and, in co-operation with the local authorities, if he will have plans prepared to unite the two sea walls at this spot so as to prevent future damage and inundation?
§ Colonel SEELYThere is no information in the War Office as to damage arising from the action of the sea at the places mentioned in this and the next question, but I am having inquiries made.