MR. GIBSON BOWLES () Lynn RegisI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received from Admiral Harris any despatches from the officers in command of the Naval Brigade at the battle of Graspan and the battle of Colenso: if so, when were these despatches received; whether he is unable to publish them without the permission of the military authorities: if so, whether lie has applied for that permission, and when he expects to receive it; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent in future the postponement of publication of the naval despatches until many weeks after the publication of the military despatches relating to the same operations.
MR. GOSCHENThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. With reference to the second 362 and third paragraphs, I may state that I am still discussing with the War Office the subject of the publication of these despatches. There are some important issues involved.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESCannot the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question as to when the despatches were received. Can he say whether he got permission—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is not entitled to go through the whole question again.