MR. OWEN LEWISasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If it is the case that—
A Russian officer has received permission to make a tour of inspection of all our dockyards and such Government establishments as he may desire to visit;if he considers it advisable, under present circumstances, that such unlimited access to these establishments should be granted to foreigners; if similar facilities are afforded to Englishmen in Russia and other continental countries; and, if he has any objection to communicate the Russian officer's name to the House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, I am sorry to say, is not able to be present here tonight. He would have been better qualified to answer this Question than I am; but I understand that about three weeks ago a Russian officer, Lieutenant Artsayooloff, was recommended by the Foreign Office to the Admiralty to receive permission to see the dockyards at Chatham, Sheerness, Portsmouth, and Devonport. It is the practice of the Admiralty to grant permission to see the Dockyards to persons so recommended, and, moreover, I may mention that it is the practice to allow naval attachés to the Embassies to visit the Dockyards without any special recommendation or permission. These facilities are given reciprocally by other nations, and I believe it is the case that the same facilities are given by the Russian Government to English officers. Under these circumstances the permission was given, and, as far as I understand, this gentleman was allowed to visit those establishments. I do not see that there is any object at present in making any alteration in the existing practice.