Australian Naval Defence.

HC Deb 14 May 1908 vol 188 cc1314-5

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the. Admiralty what is the new arrangement as to naval affairs arrived at with the Australian Commonwealth.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.

No arrangement has yet been made with the Australian Commonwealth. The question is still under consideration.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Is the subsidy of £200,000 a year still paid by the Commonwealth, and, if so, when will that cease?

MR. MCKENNA

asked for notice.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Papers asked for two months ago—when the House was told that a despatch had just been sent—will be ready?

*MR. MCKENNA

Any Papers would he presented by the Colonial Office, but I do not think there will be any ready for some time.