§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information in regard to an agreement between the Governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary whereby, should there be any difficulty in obtaining a grant to cover the cost of their construction, the German Government will purchase from Austria-Hungary the four large armoured ships now building or projected?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)We have no official information.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked whether either of the four proposed Austrian battleships have yet been laid down, and, if so, when they were commenced?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe have no official information.
§ Mr. REESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information that the Stabiliminto Tecnico of Trieste is proceeding with the construction of one or more of the four "Dreadnoughts" for the Austria-Hungarian Government in anticipation of the provision of funds?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe have no official information.
§ Mr. ASHLEYHas not the right hon. Gentleman received reports from our Naval Attaché to Austria-Hungary with reference to this question?
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked a further question which was also inaudible.
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. Official information would be such information as we might receive officially.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESMay I ask whether he distinguishes between the official information he obtains from his own subordinates and the official information he obtains from foreign Governments, and whether it is only the latter kind he communicates to the House, and not the former?
§ Mr. McKENNAOn matters affecting foreign Governments I communicate to the House such information as the foreign Governments communicate to me. As regards any information which I receive from our Naval Attachés, I can make no statement.
§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to obtain official information on this matter, which is so very important in regard to our naval defence?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can assure the hon. Member that the Admiralty will not be behindhand in obtaining all information.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGAm I to understand that he will not give any information to this House which has been received by him from Naval Attaches unless the Naval Attaches have received that information officially from the Governments to which they are accredited?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. I have stated nothing in regard to information in general, but such information as would be only desirable to quote from official sources. I should only quote from official sources.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEHas the right hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that the statements which have appeared in newspapers with regard to the commencement of those ships in Austria are, as a matter of fact, incorrect?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe House, so far as unofficial sources of information, are just as well able to form an opinion as I am. So far as official information, I have given all the official information I have.
§ Mr. REMNANTIn view of the fact that the so-called unofficial information generally proves to be correct, and is usually in advance of the Admiralty information, will the right hon. Gentleman call for a specific report on these matters?
§ Mr. McKENNAI must dispute the statement made by the hon. Gentleman that unofficial information has been in advance of the Admiralty information. The Admiralty, I can assure the hon. Member, are fully informed of all the facts of the case, but I am unable to state to the House any information except such as I have received officially.