§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether any decision has been arrived at as to the prosecution of Mr. Young Terry for the betrayal of official information; whether the Government have come to any decision to introduce a Bill in the present Session to bring this and similar offences within the scope of the Criminal Law; whether the Admiralty have issued, or about to issue, more stringent Regulations for the guidance of its officials upon the subject, and to further secure the country against traitorous public servants; and, whether such Regulations, when issued, will be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Baling)We do not propose to prosecute Mr. Young Terry for the offence he has committed. Her Majesty's Government intend, as soon as the Business of the House will permit, to introduce a Bill for the purpose of enabling more stringent punishment to be given for such offences, and we are considering what Regulations shall be adopted with regard to confidential matter. The hon. Gentleman will see that it will not be advisable to lay such Regulations on the Table of the House, because the publicity thus occasioned might defeat their object.