§ MR. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the loyal share taken by the Colonies in the defence of the Empire, Her Majesty's Government will arrange for a Naval Review on a large scale, to be held this summer, in order that the many distinguished Colonists now in this Country may have the opportunity of witnessing a muster of ironclads and other vessels representative of the Naval strength of the Empire?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)On making inquiries, I find it is undoubtedly desirable that every sort of attention should be paid to gentlemen from the Colonies visiting this country on an interesting occasion; but nothing of the kind suggested in the Question has been contemplated in the naval arrangements of the year; and very considerable inconvenience in connection with the Public Service would be experienced if an attempt were made to do that which clearly, if done at all, ought to be done on a very large scale. It has, however, been suggested that it would be of greater interest and utility to the Colonies and to those gentlemen, if they were disposed, as they probably would be, to avail themselves of the opportunities we shall be happy to extend to those specially interested in such matters, of obtaining access to the Naval and Military Constructive Departments, where they might see for themselves the real state of progress and organization, and probably would be able to acquire a great deal of useful information. I can say, with the utmost confidence, that every possible facility will be granted for such a purpose.