§ MR. GRAVESsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he is aware that a portion of the information required as to the trials of the Ships 1460 "Monarch" and "Captain" has already appeared in a public print; and, if there would be any objection to lay upon the Table of the House, Copies of all Reports addressed to the Lords of the Admiralty or the Admiral in Command as to trials of the Ships "Monarch" and "Captain" after joining the Fleet in May last?
§ MR. BAXTERSir, the Lords of the Admiralty, in the peculiar circumstances referred to in the Question which has just been put to me, are willing to make an exception to the very salutary rule of not publishing confidential Reports addressed to them regarding trials of vessels. The House will see that it might often be highly detrimental to the public service were such documents given in every instance; and in this case it must be distinctly understood that no opinion has yet been formed by the Board of Admiralty. It would be premature to do so until the results of further trials are known. All the Reports relating to the Monarch and the Captain will be laid upon the Table of the House.