§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the statement published in The Times of 13th November, that the French Fleet in the Mediterranean now consists of eight first-class and five second-class battleships in commission and ready for sea; of two first-class cruisers and seven smaller cruisers, and 38 large torpedo boats also in commission; and of four second-class battleships and 43 large torpedo boats ready for immediate commission; and whether he can state whether this statement is accurate?
* THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeWhile it is the duty and the practice of the Board of Admiralty to keep themselves fully informed as to the strength of Foreign Navies, it would be most undesirable that statements should be continually drawn from Her Majesty's Government, in Parliament, by questions of this character, as to the precise naval strength of any Foreign Power in any part of the world. Such statements coming from an official source would not be calculated to improve the relations between this country and other countries with whom we are, happily, at peace. 866 Without, therefore, admitting the accuracy of the figures quoted by the hon. Gentleman, I must respectfully decline to answer further questions of this sort, which it might be patent to the hon. Member, who has had considerable experience at the Admiralty, can answer no useful purpose, but on the contrary—
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI rise to Order, Sir. I wish to know whether the right hon. Gentleman is in Order in attempting to give me a lecture in answering a question?
§ * MR. SPEAKERIt is competent for a Minister to object to a particular question as inopportune.
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH, continuing, such questions are calculated to embarrass the Administration, who are quite alive to the importance of their duties in regard to the naval strength of this country.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI might ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give any evidence of his being alive to the importance of maintaining the Navy of this country at its proper strength? I will only say at present—["Order!"] I will at present only give notice that on the first favourable opportunity I will call attention to the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, and to the respective strengths of our Fleet and the Fleets of other countries.
§ Subsequently,
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid: I wish to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether we are to understand from the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman to Question 17 that in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government it is dangerous to peace to communicate publicly to the people of this country facts relating to the naval strength of Foreign Powers, which are perfectly well-known to every Government in Europe?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI must ask the hon. Gentleman to conclude nothing except what I actually stated.