§ Sir REGINALD POLE-CAREWasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether 924W it is proposed to move the naval base in the Mediterranean from Malta to Gibraltar; and, if so, what will our naval strength then be in those waters?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy right hon. Friend stated in his speech introducing the Navy Estimates that it was proposed that the battleships now stationed in the Mediterranean should be based on Gibraltar instead of Malta. Malta will remain an important naval base. The constitution and strength of the Naval force in the Mediterranean has not yet been settled. It must not be assumed that the squadron based on Gibraltar cannot be regarded as part of our Naval strength in Mediterranean waters.