§ SIR JOHN HAYsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether there has been any Official Correspondence from the Commander-in-Chief at Devonport on the subject of the recent inspection of the Research; and, if so, whether he will lay it on the table of the House?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGET, in reply, said, there was a very great objection to laying the Confidential Reports of Naval Officers to the Admiralty on the table of the House. If his hon. and gallant Friend would state any particular points in the case on which he wished for information, 1456 he should be very happy to furnish him with it. He objected to the production of the Correspondence in question simply on the ground of principle.
§ MR. FERRANDsaid, he had put a similar Question to the noble Lord a few nights ago, and he had stated in reply that he would lay the Correspondence on the table.
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETMy hon. and gallant Friend alludes to further Correspondence.
§ SIR JOHN HAYsaid, he must urge upon the noble Lord the expediency of producing the letter for which he had just asked, as it involved the character of a distinguished officer, and also the quality of one of Her Majesty's Ships.
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETIf my hon. and gallant Friend puts it to me in that way I cannot refuse, but as a rule it is my duty to object to produce Reports from officers, which are always more or less of a confidential nature.