HC Deb 28 December 1893 vol 20 cc339-41
MR. VICARY GIBBS (Herts, St. Albans)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if it is correct, as stated in The Globe newspaper of 22nd instant, that the Naval Lords remonstrated against the use made of their names and authority by the Government in the Debate on the Navy on Tuesday the 19th; and, if so, if he would state what was the nature of their protest?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W.HARCOURT,) Derby

I have been asked to answer this question. I have not seen the statement referred to in The Globe newspaper. I stated this day last week that it had been represented to me that I appeared in a single specified sentence of my speech to have vouched the opinion of the professional advisers of the Admiralty to a greater extent than I intended or than the context of my speech implied. I then explained that I intended to confine my statement to the relative forces of England, France, and Russia during the present financial year in respect of first-class battleships, and I set forth that condition from a Paper furnished to me by the Admiralty. I said I intended to commit neither the Admiralty nor the Government on other questions either of present or future preparations.

MR. VICARY GIBBS

That is not an answer to my question. The point of the question is a perfectly clear one. It is—Was there a protest made by the Naval Lords; and, if so, what was the nature of that protest?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I think nobody acquainted with administrative affairs would ask what are the communications which pass between one Department and another. I must decline to answer.

MR. VICARY GIBBS

Of course I can understand that answer. I should like to ask another question of the First Lord of the Treasury, if he will answer it, and that is whether he thinks it desirable that Ministers should quote the opinion of the Naval Lords? ["Order!"]

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

That is not a question which can be put.

MR. VICARY GIBBS

With all respect to you, Sir ["Order!"] if I am not allowed to put a question of which you have not heard the whole ["Order!"] I beg to move the adjournment of the House.

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot move the adjournment of the House at the present moment.

MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)

Will the Paper from which the right hon. Gentleman quoted be laid on the Table according to custom?

SIR W. HARCOURT

No, Sir, because I believe the Admiralty intend to lay a Paper which will cover it. I may say I asked for information as to the present state of the Navy, and the Admiralty authorities obligingly furnished me with that Paper. A Paper on the subject has been moved for and will be laid on the Table.

MR. J. LOWTHER

I am alluding to a Paper which the right hon. Gentleman himself referred to as "the Paper which I hold in my hand." Will that specific Paper be laid on the Table?

SIR W. HARCOURT

No, not in that form.

MR. J. LOWTHER

Then I will move for it.

* MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Was the Resolution one of the first-class battleships on which the Chancellor of the Exchequer relied?

SIR W. HARCOURT

Yes, Sir, I think so, and all the ships are constructed under the Naval Defence Act.

MR. TOMLINSON

Are we to gather from the right hon. Gentleman's statement it is a fact that the Naval Lords tendered their resignation?

SIR W. HARCOURT

I said nothing of the kind.