In the House of Lords this week there have been
two interesting debates, one dealing with military and the other with naval affairs. On Monday the Duke of Bedford raised some very important questions in a singularly able and well- thought-out speech, which we have discussed at length else- where. On Thursday Lord Selborne explained to the House the position in regard to the works at Gibraltar, the correspondence in regard to which has been published this week. The recently appointed Committee had recommended the establishment of a harbour and dock on the eastern side. But the estimates as to the cost of such works on the eastern side were in no way final, and he could not come to any decision thereon till there had been much further investigation. He had therefore determined to complete the works begun but not entirely finished on the western side. We hold that Lord Selborne has acted with sound common-sense in coming to such a deci- sion. Even if the eastern harbour is adopted, it will not be ready for ten, and probably for fifteen, years, and meantime the expenditure of the 2300,000 which might be saved were the western works to be instantly suspended will have given us accommodation which is much needed. Whether we should make the eastern harbour is a most difficult question. Our preference is always for spending Admiralty money on things that will float and go to sea, but the need for a safe place for repairs is, of course, very great.
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