§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEasked whether the provisions of the Declaration of London have been submitted to, and considered by, the Board of Admiralty, with special reference to naval interests and the protection of British commerce; and whether the Board has signified its approval of the Declaration?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Admiralty were represented at the International Naval Conference which led up to the Declaration of London. Its provisions were submitted to and considered by the Admiralty, and there was no occasion for the Board to signify their approval in a formal manner.
§ Mr. LEEIn view of the fact that the Board of Admiralty has not signified its approval of the Declaration will the Government undertake that it will not be ratified until the Board of Admiralty have declared themselves to be satisfied that the naval interests of the country will be safeguarded?
§ Mr. McKENNANo; the hon. Member must not assume from my reply that because the Board of Admiralty has not signified their approval in a formal manner that they have not approved.
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir—— No; let me explain. The Admiralty, being represented at the Conference, there was no formal meeting of the Board of Admiralty, and consequently no formal approval has ever been expressed by the Board of Admiralty, but in the approval which has been given the assent of the Naval Members must be supposed.
§ Mr. McKENNANo. He was the Director of Naval Intelligence, and represented the Admiralty, and put forward the 871 Admiralty views at the Conference. His action, was approved by the Board, and that approval must be accepted as approval of the Conference.