§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the inquiry into the loss of Submarine A 1 has been concluded; and, if so, whether the Report will be laid upon the Table of the House.
THE SECRETARY TO THIS ADMIRALTY (Mr. PKETYMAN, Suffolk,) WoodbridgeIt is not customary to publish the reports of Courts of Inqury, and no reason is seen for departing from the usual practice in this case.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that when the Navy Estimates were last before the House it was by general agreement arranged to postpone the discussion of this matter in consideration of the fact that an inquiry was being held, the results of which would be laid before the House.
§ MR. PRETYMANI remember no such pledge or suggestion as is referred to in the last part of the hon. Gentleman's remarks. It was certainly considered desirable that this discussion should be postponed until after the Court of Inquiry, because that would enable the representatives of the Admiralty here to reply with more certainty to any questions that might be raised; but that did not imply a promise of the kind suggested.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONIs not the House to have the information?
§ MR. PRETYMANIt is the duty of the Admiralty to give whatever information is necessary.