§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty on what terms a portion of the North Mole has been leased to coal merchants at Gibraltar; and whether the Admiralty will consider the leasing or sale of the whole dockyard under suitable conditions of priority for warship?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe Admiralty propose to lease the greater portion of the Western Arm and No. 1 Jetty of the North Mole to 15 firms of coal merchants collectively for a term of seven years from the 1st January, 1920, reserving, however, powers of complete resumption in case of national emergency, with a lien on stocks of coal in any emergency not involving complete resumption. The lessees would have also the option of renewing the lease, and also of leasing further accommodation if required, provided naval interests permit of this. The answer as regards the second part of the question is in the negative, the resources of the dockyard being required for naval work.