§ SIR G. S. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Spanish Government has explained whether the vessels which they contemplate adding as auxiliaries to their fleet are to be classed as public or private warships; and whether they are to fly the Spanish naval ensign or some other ensign?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Spanish Government have not given explanations with regard to the points mentioned in the Question. Her Majesty's Government have reason to believe that the Spanish Government intend to limit themselves to the employment of an auxiliary marine like that proposed to be employed by Germany in 1870, in which case they would presumably be classed as public vessels and sail under the Spanish national flag. Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Madrid has been instructed to make inquiries and to report immediately any information he may obtain.