Captain FABERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he would state whether the English military attaché in Vienna had asked the naval section there for some details concerning the building of new 186 "Dreadnoughts" for the Austro-Hungarian Government; and what the reply was which was received?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe cannot make public information received from foreign Governments about their shipbuilding, except what they themselves communicate for that purpose, and in this case—where the subject has been discussed recently in the Parliament of the country concerned—I can only refer the hon. Member to the public statements of the Austro-Hungarian Government.
Captain FABERWould the right hon. Gentleman state if it would be possible for any country to buy the Austrian "Dreadnoughts" when they are finished?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. I can only give the hon. Gentleman the information which has appeared in the public Press on the subject, and in the Debates of the Austro-Hungarian Parliament. I do. not gather from those Debates that the ships will be for sale.