§ SIR JOHN RANDLES (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has been made aware of the gratification consequent on the visit of a portion of the Fleet to South Africa; is the advantage of visits to British Dominions over the sea of ships of His Majesty's Navy being considered by the Colonial Office; and, if not, will they endeavour to arrange with the Admiralty for such visits from time to time as may be deemed desirable in the interest of the Empire.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY,) Liverpool, AbercrombyThe Secretary of State is well aware of the gratification with which the visit of the second cruiser squadron to Durban has been received in South Africa, and he fully appreciates the advantages of periodical visits to the Dominions of ships of His Majesty's Navy. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty share his views on the matter but the visits must necessarily be subject to the exigencies of the service.