§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (Marylebone, E.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he would consent to lay upon the Table of the House the Report (dated November, 1886) containing the strong and unanimous opinion of the Committee composed of the four Naval members of the Board of Admiralty relative to the salaries and duties of a proposed Naval Intelligence Department, as well as to the absolute necessity for immediately forming such a department in the interests of the safety of the Empire?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Baling)The Memorandum in question is of a confidential character, and the rule which has invariably regulated the production of all Official Papers is that, when they are of a confidential character, they should not be made public. Therefore, I am afraid that in the present instance, in consequence of this rule, I cannot accede to the request of my noble and gallant Friend.
§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORDIn consequence of the answer I have received from my noble Friend, I beg to give Notice that I shall, on the earliest opportunity, move for the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the system of administration both of the War Office and of the Admiralty.