§ LORD G. HAMILTON (Middlesex, Ealing)had given notice to ask the First Lord of the Treasury,
If the Government still adhere to their refusa to make a statement on the condition of the Navy before the Christmas Holidays?The noble Lord said, I understand the Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot, in the absence of the Prime Minister, answer my question. As the matter is one of great importance, and in order to bring it to a head, I beg to give notice of the following Resolution which I will place on the Notice Paper:—That, in the opinion of this House, it is necessary, for the maintenance of the security of the country and the continued protection of British interests and commerce, that considerable addition should at once be made to the Navy; this House, therefore, calls upon Her Majesty's Government to make before the Christmas Recess a statement of their intentions, in order that immediate action may be taken thereon.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURWith regard to the notice of my noble Friend the Member for Middlesex, I beg to give notice that on Thursday I shall ask the Government what course they propose to take with regard to the matter.