Captain FABERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the reasons for dispensing with the services of the two naval officers of the Naval Intelligence Department who were called before the Sub-Committee of Imperial 392 Defence by Lord Charles Beresford, seeing that no specific reorganisation of the Department has yet been carried out?
§ Mr. McKENNAA reorganisation of the Department is being carried out, and in consequence of the changes involved the services of the two officers in question will not be required after they have been carried into effect.
Captain FABERIs it a mere coincidence that one of these officers was ordered away the very day that the inquiry ceased?
§ Mr. McKENNACoincidence has nothing to do with it.
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; the hon. Gentleman is in error. The officer in question was invited to take his holiday from the date. [Laughter.] I do not in the least desire to answer the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the Prime Minister's definite pledge that officers who gave evidence before this inquiry should not have their careers prejudiced in any way, he will take steps to remedy the unfortunate impression which will be created if these officers' careers at the Admiralty came to a termination under these circumstances?
§ Mr. McKENNANo "unfortunate impression" will be created as the hon. Gentleman says. The services of the officer in question came to a termination with the Admiralty in the ordinary course, and he will be employed in the ordinary course when his turn comes.
Captain FABERIs it not the fact that the officer in question was responsible for the Admiralty manœuvres and was sent away just before they began?
§ Mr. McKENNAI must decline to answer any further supplementary questions from the hon. Member.
Captain FABERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he will state whether the new scheme for the reorganisation of the Naval Intelligence Department, as a war staff, will be promulgated before the end of the Session; and whether it will involve an increase in the Naval Estimates?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs the date of the end of the Session is uncertain, I am unable to reply to the first part of the question. 393 With regard to the second part—the increase in the Estimates, if any, will be small.