§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been called to cases of absence of ships of the British Navy when the presence of a British warship was urgently wanted for the protection of British subjects, property, and interests in British possessions or Protectorates, or British Colonies; whether a German or American warship was there or in the immediate vicinity; whether he can state instances other than those of Jamaica, St. Lucia, Zanzibar, and the present one of Lourenzo Marques, Delagoa Bay, where British subjects have had to look to the German or American flag for protection and assistance; and whether, in every instance, suitable and appropriate thanks have been tendered by the British Government to the German or American Governments for its courtesy and efficiency in protecting and assisting British subjects?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn reply to the first part of the question, it is not admitted that any cases of importance have occurred in which a British warship has not been available within a reasonable time when urgently required for the protection of British subjects. It is not correct that British subjects at Lourenzo Marques have to look to the German flag for protection and assistance at the present time.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that British ships were not on the spot, and may I ask whether, in view of the alleged superiority of the British Navy over the German and American Navies, is it not somewhat humiliating to this country to have to look to foreign countries for assistance, and whether the Admiralty will not take immediate steps to provide the requisite number of cruisers?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a variety of questions. The hon. Member had better put them down.