§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETSir, I may, perhaps, be permitted to take this opportunity of informing the House that the Avon was sent out this morning to endeavour to intercept Sir Baldwin Walker.
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONSir, after the announcement which the noble Lord has just made, perhaps he will allow me to put to him two questions. First, whether it is true that no telegraph was sent from the Admiralty till half-past eleven o'clock to-day? Secondly, whether the Avon is not reckoned one of the slowest ships in Her Majesty's service?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETSir, it is quite true that the orders were sent out this morning; but it must be remembered that the Avon sailed from Devonport, and that we had news of Sir Baldwin Walker having put out from Yarmouth Roads, where he had taken shelter, yesterday morning. It is quite possible, therefore, that the Avon may be able to cut him off.