HC Deb 18 August 1887 vol 319 cc918-20
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with reference to the agreement for an additional joint Naval Force in Australasian waters, Whether the stipulation, that— This agreement shall be considered to become actually binding between the Imperial and the several Colonial Governments so soon as the Colonial Legislatures shall have passed special appropriations for the terms hereinafter mentioned, means that this country may be bound in this matter, without reference to or sanction of Parliament; whether, when after the agreement has become binding under the stipulation above quoted, and Parliament is asked to supply the necessary funds, it will be free to deal with the matter entirely at its discretion and without prejudice, on account of the agreement made and the expectations held out to the Colonial Governments; whether the stipulation— Notwithstanding the establishment of this joint Naval Force, no reduction is to take place in the normal strength of Her Majesty's Naval Force employed on the Australian Station, means that this country will be bound to maintain at its sole expense the Naval Force now stationed in Australasian waters, and will so far lose all power of moving or otherwise employing its own ships to meet the general necessities of the Empire; and what is the normal strength of Her Majesty's Naval Force employed on the Australian Station?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir HENRY HOLLAND) (Hampstead)

It has been necessary to ascertain whether the Colonial Parliaments will make the proposed provision before taking further steps in this country. Her Majesty's Government will, of course, be bound to obtain Parliamentary sanction to the scheme, inasmuch as a Vote for the expenditure must be in due course submitted. After the very full public discussion and approval which the scheme of joint naval defence has received, it is clear that, although the House of Commons has the power of refusing to provide the contribution assigned to this country, the failure to do so would cause great surprise and dissatisfaction to the Colonies; and I must add that Her Majesty's Government are bound in good faith to uphold an arrangement which they consider of great importance. The stipulation as to not moving the vessels out of Australasian waters only applies to the new vessels; and the further stipulation relating to the maintenance of the existing strength of the normal Squadron was inserted for the purpose of insuring that the new vessels should be a bonâ fide addition to the strength of the Squadron, and that this addition should not be used as an argument for the reduction of the existing force. It appears from the Navy List that the present strength of Her Majesty's ships on the Station consists of the flag-ship, three corvettes, two gunboats, two schooners, and three surveying vessels.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

gave Notice that he would take an early opportunity of calling attention to the way in which these sanctions were made by Colonial Parliaments without the British Parliament having an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the subject.