§ MR. B. L. COHEN (Islington, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of Admiralty whether an important representative of the German Navy was shown over Devonport Dockyard on the 23rd inst. by the officials of the dockyard, who were able to answer his numerous inquiries as to the inner working of the dockyard; whether similar facilities have been afforded at other British dockyards to gentlemen holding responsible positions in other foreign Navies; whether visits of inspection are paid on behalf of the Admiralty by, and facilities afforded to, British officers at the naval establishments of the Great Powers; and whether similar investigations are instituted on behalf of the Admiralty into the inner working of those establishments?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYA German naval constructor visited Devonport Dockyard, by permission of the Admiralty. He was granted no unusual facilities and given no special information. His visit was 390 of the ordinary character, and he was accompanied, as is usual, by officers detailed for the purpose. The allegation that "numerous inquiries" were made "as to the inner working of the yard" has no foundation in fact. Permission to visit the Royal dockyards is granted by the Admiralty to officers of foreign Navies, whose applications come through their Embassies and the Foreign Office. Similar facilities are granted by the Great Powers to British officers.
§ * MR. WEIRMay I ask whether the official in question had an opportunity of examining the mechanism of the Brennan torpedo?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYNo, Sir. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.]