HC Deb 11 December 1912 vol 45 cc433-4
21. Lord C. BERESFORD

asked the full circumstances attending the resignation, as First Sea Lord, of Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Reasons of health led to the resignation from the Board of Admiralty of the late First Sea Lord. The regret which is felt personally by me and by my colleagues on the Board at the withdrawal of so distinguished an officer is only tempered by the fact that no difference in view or policy had led to any disagreement.

Lord C. BERESFORD

Might I ask the First Lord if it is a fact that ill-health and no other cause at all was the reason for the First Sea Lord's resignation?

Mr. CHURCHILL

So far as I am aware, no other cause whatever.

Mr. LANE-FOX

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has the authothority of Sir Francis Bridgeman for the statement he makes that the resignation was owing to causes of ill-health?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I speak with a full knowledge of the circumstances, and my statement is conclusive.

Lord C. BERESFORD

It is a very important matter. Might I ask on which side t he proposal for resignation emanated— from the Admiralty or from the First Sea Lord?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I should like, before answering such a question, to know whether the Noble Lord is speaking on behalf of Sir Francis Bridgeman.

Lord C. BERESFORD

That is a very fair question. No, Sir, I have not had any communication from Sir Francis Bridge-man of any sort or kind since his resignation. I merely ask this question in the interests of the Service, because so many Sea Lords have left during the last year. It is a question in which the Service is very interested.

Mr. LANE-FOX

Might I ask whether the statement that the resignation of Sir Francis Bridgeman is owing to causes of ill-health is made with his authority?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir, I take full responsibility for the statement that the cause of ill-health led to the retirement of Sir Francis Bridgeman. For that I take full responsibility, and I require no other responsibility to cover it.

Lord C. BERESFORD

Might I ask for an answer to my question — on which side the proposal for the resignation emanated?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Very well, since the Noble Lord presses it: the proposal emanated from me.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it is not a fact that the Sea Lords have threatened more than once during the last month to resign?

Mr. CHURCHILL

There is absolutely no truth in that statement.

Mr. LANE-FOX

Might I ask——

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

On a point of Order. Might I ask you, Sir, to kindly state how many supplementary questions may be asked by one Member?

Mr. SPEAKER

I never allow more than eight in all.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

I was talking of supplementary questions.