HC Deb 09 July 1908 vol 192 cc53-4
MR. H. C. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the present Commander of the Channel Fleet, Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, is not on speaking terms with his official superior, Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher, and with his official subordinate Admiral Sir Percy Scott; and, if so, whether having regard to the Regulations relating to dicipline in the Navy and the fighting efficiency of the Fleet, he will say what steps he proposes taking in the matter.

DR. MACNAMARA

The Admiralty have nothing to add to the Answer given by the Prime Minister yesterday to a Question from my hon. friend the Member for King's Lynn.

MR. H. C. LEA

Is the House to understand that the rules and regulations of the Navy on the subject of discipline and fighting efficiency in the Fleet are only to apply to the humbler ranks, stokers, for example, while Lord Charles Beresford is to be allowed to break them with impunity?

[No Answer was returned.]

MR. H. C. LEA

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that last week Admiral Lord Charles Beresford ordered the "Good Hope" and the "Argyll" to execute a manœuvre which would have made collision inevitable and thus reproduced the disaster caused by the "Camperdown" sinking the "Victoria" in the Mediterranean, and that this was averted by the officer commanding the "Good Hope" disobeying the order, and, if so, whether a court of inquiry has been ordered to assemble, and, if a prima facie case has been established for an inquiry, will he, in the meantime, relieve Admiral Lord Charles Beresford of his command.

DR. MACNAMARA

The Admiralty have no information on the subject.

MR. H. C. LEA

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that two days ago The Times published a full description of this incident, and to-day, again, a diagram illustrating the incident; has the Admiralty, seeing the grave importance of this matter, telegraphed to Lord Charles Beresford for an explanation?

DR. MACNAMARA

I saw the statement in The Times, but I have to add that we have no information on the matter. The Commander-in-Chief is now on the high seas in connection with the manœuvres. I assume that a report will be forthcoming from him, if any exceptional incident arose on which he may think it necessary to report.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

Will the hon. Gentleman in considering this matter, be careful to receive with the utmost caution any charges made against Lord Charges Beresford or any other Irishman by The Times newspaper?

MR. MARKHAM

Are there any means of protecting distinguished naval officers from these personal attacks in this House?

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Will the hon. Member also consider whether there is any possible way of preventing The Times newspaper from constantly circulating scandals of every kind?

[No Answer was returned.]