HC Deb 06 March 1908 vol 185 cc1067-8
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.

As no formal Motion for the adjournment of the House is made on Friday afternoon, and as I have received notice of Questions from the hon. Member for the Brentford Division, and others, which seem to call, in the public interest, for an immediate answer, I will, with the permission of the House, make the following statement:—It is the fact that on the 18th of last month Lord Tweedmouth received a letter from the German Emperor. It was a purely private and personal communication conceived in an entirely friendly spirit. My noble friend's answer was equally private and informal, and neither the letter nor the answer was known or communicated to the Cabinet. I may add, in view of some suggestions which appear to be made, that, before the letter arrived, the Cabinet had come to a final decision with regard to the Navy Estimates of the year.