Captain FABERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state whether, more than 12 months ago, the Board of Admiralty was expressly warned by our naval representative in Berlin that the 1035 German authorities were preparing to accelerate their construction programme, and that Krupps were to increase their works to a vast extent; whether the warning document is still in existence, and, if so, whether he will produce it to the House; and whether a special meeting at the Board was summoned immediately to discuss the new situation that arose, and what the result was?
§ Mr. McKENNAAll reports by naval attachés to the Board of Admiralty are confidential, and it is undesirable to produce them or state their contents. The deliberations of the Board being confidential, no statement with regard to them can be made.
§ Mr. McKENNAThe question about 12 months ago is whether an inquiry was made by our naval representative at Berlin. It is undesirable to make any statement as to that.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a deputation of German workmen to this country, now in this House at the present time, with a view of cementing the two democracies together and preventing any quarrel between them?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member's question is quite irrelevant.