§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, The names, calibre of guns, number of bluejackets, Marines, and non-combatant men on board of each vessel now in the port of and on the way to Alexandria; also draught of water of each vessel; if the whole are of sufficiently light draught to enter Alexandria Harbour or pass through the Suez Canal; and, are they all fitted with torpedoes, if so, of what description?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANMy hon. Friend asks me to give a public and detailed statement as to the fighting strength of the ships now at Alexandria. I am sorry that I must decline to do so. The House will agree—and I think my hon. Friend will himself on reflection see—that it would be contrary to the public interest that such a statement should be made at this moment.
§ MR. GOURLEYI disagree with the opinion which has just been expressed, and I shall take an early opportunity of calling attention to the subject.