Ghost of a flea

That London was not provided with its own defences until the announcement of the London Defence Scheme in 1889 was not for want of trying, however. An early proposal for defending London was in response to a French invasion scare in 1803. During a debate in Parliament on the provision of defences Pitt said: "If by erection of earthworks such as I am recommending, you can delay the progress of the enemy for 3 days it may make the difference between the safety and the destruction of the Capital". As was so often to be the case, nothing was done.