HC Deb 12 February 1878 vol 237 cc1534-5
MAJOR NOLAN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If the order forwarded to detach a squadron towards Constantinople was of a character sufficiently stringent to relieve the Admiral commanding the Mediterranean Fleet from responsibility should the squadron's line of retreat be seriously threatened?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Mr. Speaker, the orders which have been forwarded to the Admiral commanding the Fleet in the Mediterranean are of a clear and distinct character. They have been sent upon the responsibility of the Government; and it would be extremely inconvenient and inconsistent with my duty, at the present moment, to state the nature of the orders.