HC Deb 25 April 1910 vol 17 c14
Mr. BURGOYNE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any official information as to the proposed sale of the German armoured cruiser "Blucher" to the Turkish Government?

Mr. McKENNA

I have no official information on the subject.

Mr. BURGOYNE

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to give unofficially information or must he always base his replies to questions on official information?

Mr. McKENNA

It would be undesirable for me to state on the authority of the Admiralty information which was not official.

Mr. ARTHUR LEE

In view of the fact that this affects the balance of naval power, will the right hon. Gentleman give the information to the House at as early a date as possible?

Mr. McKENNA

As soon as I have official information on the subject I shall be very happy to give it to the House, but, as anybody will see, the balance of power would be affected favourably to this country, and therefore the matter has not the same importance.