§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he possesses any information to the effect that the German armoured cruiser building by Messrs. Blohm and Voss is to be fitted with heavy oil engines; and, if so, whether he can give to the House any particulars concerning those engines?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have no official information on this subject.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDIs the hon. Member aware that the details of this armoured cruiser have appeared in the Press?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not aware of that.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked whether the information in possession of the Admiralty concerning the progress, armament, and design of German warships is obtained through official or unofficial sources; and, if through official sources, what is the particular source from which that information comes, and through what official channels is it supplied?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not in a position to give the information desired by the Noble Lord.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDIs the hon. Member aware that the right hon. Gentleman's information in this House is often very inaccurate?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not aware of that, but on the contrary, I thought it was usually accurate.
§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has any information that the German battleship "Kaiser" is to be armed with 14-inch guns, and that guns of this calibre are to be installed in the German super-"Dreadnoughts" now under construction; and whether he can state how this gun compares with the British 13.5-inch gun in respect of weight of shell, initial velocity, and muzzle energy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe have no official information upon the matter.
§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGHas the hon. Gentleman got any information, unofficial or otherwise?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI said we have no official information.
§ Mr. C. CRAIGWhat is the cause of this paucity of information on these subjects, and why is there so little information on such an important matter as this?