As MP for Portsmouth, Beresford questioned the government about the price, tender dates, completion schedule, and supporting accommodation for two floating docks. The Admiralty declined to publish some figures while construction was underway but supplied contract and expected-delivery dates. A follow-up dispute over whether the schedule had slipped turned on how the original 18-month-to-two-year estimate was counted. The exchange is a compact example of parliamentary scrutiny applied to naval infrastructure rather than ships alone.
Notable Point · 48:09-50:02
Floating docks and procurement oversight
Beresford's detailed questions about Portsmouth floating docks show Parliament tracking contracts, accommodation costs, and delivery dates for naval infrastructure.