§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONasked how many officers or persons in the service of the Admiralty had access to the letter of Captain Bacon; and whether any departmental inquiry has been instituted with a view to ascertaining the circumstances which led to the document becoming public property and widely known in naval circles?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe letter was received three years ago and had been totally forgotten until it was recently disinterred by a flagrant breach of confidence. As I have stated already in reply to previous questions, at this distance of time it is impossible to say precisely who saw the letter. No departmental inquiry has been instituted, as it is well known that the publication of portions of this confidential letter which was marked "Private and Secret" is the work of Sir George Armstrong, who has himself proclaimed the fact.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if, in view of the fact that large extracts from Captain Bacon's Report about his superior officers had been published, he could see his way to laying the complete text before Parliament?
§ Mr. McKENNANo reason is seen for the Admiralty to aggravate the flagrant breach of confidence already committed.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONIn order to save further questions, would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he disapproves of the system of junior officers reporting upon their superiors, and that he will, so far as in him lies, attempt to do away with that system in future?
§ Mr. McKENNAAny system of junior officers reporting upon their seniors would of course meet with the disapprobation of the Board of Admiralty; but I have already said that the letter in question did not constitute any such report, and I do not think, therefore, that, on the strength of that letter, the hon. Gentleman should ask me to give such an assurance. If he asks for an assurance on the general policy of the Board of Admiralty, I assure him that they would not support any system of junior officers reporting upon their seniors.