§ Mr. RENWICKasked whether a system of espionage has been established by the Admiralty at Portsmouth and other naval ports with a view to discovering and reporting the opinions of naval officers upon the present policy of the Admiralty; whether any naval officers at Portsmouth or elsewhere have been instructed to report to the Admiralty or to any superior officer the opinions expressed by other naval officers; and whether instructions have been given to officers to suppress adverse criticism of the Board of Admiralty as at present constituted?
§ Mr. McKENNAI believe I am right in assuming that the hon. Gentleman has no intention to convey by his question any suggestion that he believes the statements contained in his question to be true. My reply will therefore convey no discourtesy to him when I say that the allegations are false, base, and absurd.
§ Mr. RENWICKThe query was put to me. I am extremely pleased to hear it.