HC Deb 20 February 1880 vol 250 cc1105-6
CAPTAIN PIM

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether his attention has been called to an article in the "United Service Gazette" of 14th February instant, in reference to a suggestion that— A printed report of the state of the Navy should be placed in the hands of honourable Members at least a fortnight before the Navy Estimates were moved; whether he is aware that such a course is practised by the Secretary of the American Navy in reference to the American Congress; and, whether he will consider whether the time of this House might not be saved and the public service benefited by the adoption of a similar procedure?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Sir, the annual Report of the Secretary of the United States Navy is presented on the 30th of November in each year, and gives an account of the condition and operations of the Navy Department for the preceding fiscal year ending the 30th of June, and the Estimates for the current fiscal year commencing July 1. In the British House of Commons the Navy Estimates for the succeeding year are, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, usually explained to the House before the 31st of March, and placed in the hands of Members some time before that date; it would, consequently, not be possible to give any complete or accurate account of the conditions and operations of the Navy for the current year, previous to the time the Estimates are moved, and I do not think it would be desirable to do so.