§ SIR JOHN HAY (for Captain PRICE)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If it is true that two guns of Her Majesty's ship "Alexandra" split during the action of the 11th instant, and that the ship has had to withdraw to Malta for new guns; and, have any other failures occurred to the guns of the Fleet?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, I would respectfully but confidently ask the House to allow mo to decline giving an answer to this Question, or to any other similar Question which may be addressed to me. I am sure that the right hon. and gallant Member and the House generally will perceive that it might be injurious to the public interest, while it is difficult to see what good could possibly be done, if it became the practice to publish to the world on such an occasion as this the detailed effect of an engagement upon the ships of Her Majesty's Fleet and their armament.