§ Mr. HUNTasked (1) whether the Naval Prize Bill has ever been submitted for consideration to a full meeting of the Board of Admiralty; if so, was it approved at the full meeting, and what was the date; (2) whether Sir Francis Bridgeman, now Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, was consulted at all regarding the Declaration of London; (3) what is the date, or what were the dates, of any full meeting, or full meetings, of the Board of Admiralty at which the Declaration of London was discussed and approved; (4) whether the Declaration of London was discussed and approved by any full meeting of the Board of Admiralty after its signature by Lord Desart; (5) if so, was such full meeting held prior to the signature of the Declaration by Lord Desart on the 26th of February, 1909; and (6) whether, on the occasion when the Declaration of London was approved by the Board of Admiralty, only two members of that Board were present; and, if so, were these two the First Lord of the Admiralty and one Sea Lord?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will answer the hon. Member's questions, Nos. 60 to 65, together. The Naval Prize Bill was not submitted for consideration to a full meeting of the Board of Admiralty. Sir Francis Bridgeman did not become Second Sea Lord till March, 1909, after the Declaration of London was signed. As Second Sea Lord, questions affecting the Declaration of London would not come before him in the ordinary course, except when acting for the First Sea Lord, and I am not aware 1331 that any important points came before him officially when so acting. The approval of the Declaration of London was given on the Papers circulated to those members of the Board to whom it appertained in the distribution of business.
§ Mr. HUNTWill the right hon. Gentleman say how many Naval Lords were at the meeting, and are we to understand that the Admiral chiefly responsible for the safety of the country from starvation and invasion has not approved the Declaration of London at all?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman does not quite appreciate, if I may say so, the point that in the distribution of business the question affecting the Declaration of London would come before the First Sea Lord for the time being, and, as I stated in my speech, both the First Sea Lords before whom the business came have approved the Declaration of London?
§ Mr. HUNTAre we to understand that Admiral Bridgeman, who is responsible for the safety of the country, has not been consulted and does not approve?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. The hon Member is not in the least entitled to understand anything of the sort. I explained, in answer to questions by the hon. Member, that Admiral Bridgeman was not at the Board of Admiralty at the time the Declaration of London was approved. I further remind him that all the matters the hon. Member has addressed to me in his questions have already been answered by mo some months ago.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAt the time the Declaration of London was considered by the Board of Admiralty was formal notice given to the members of the Board that the subject would be considered so that they could have an opportunity of attending?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. As I stated there was no formal Board meeting but every member of the Board had full knowledge of what occurred and every member of the Board has full opportunity of asking me to call a Board meeting on any subject.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWas any member asked to attend except the First Sea Lord and the right hon. Gentleman?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have explained more than once that the Sea Lord with whom 1332 the matter rests is the First Sea Lord; he came to me, and it was approved by the First Sea Lord and myself.