§ 2. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the following Sea Lords left the Admiralty in November, 1911, namely, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson, Vice-Admiral Sir George Egerton, Rear-Admiral Charles Madden; whether Rear-Admiral Charles Briggs left the Admiralty in 1912; whether these officers were dismissed or resigned, and if he will state the reason; whether, on the 28th November, 1912, he wrote a letter to Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman which left him no alternative but to resign; whether he is aware that actions of this character provoke uneasiness throughout the naval service in that they form a dangerous precedent showing that, in the event of the Sea Lords differing from him on technical matters connected with expert opinion, they are liable to instant dismissal?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe statement contained in the last two lines of the Noble Lord's question is untrue. The rest of the question has been fully answered by me on previous occasions.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it in order for the right hon. Gentleman sitting opposite when answering a question to state in regard to a statement in the question that it is untrue?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWhat particular epithet does the hon. Member wish to substitute?
§ sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIf Mr. Speaker asks me, I should say incorrect.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWould the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether Sir Francis Bridgeman ever threatened to resign on questions of difference of opinion between himself and the First Lord connected with technical matters requiring expert opinion which Sir Francis considered vital to the efficiency of the Fleet?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is obviously a question of which notice should be given.
§ 11. Mr. FITZROYhad on the Paper the following question: To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Admiral Francis Bridgeman remained at the Admiralty during August, September, and October, 1912, whilst other Lords were away, having arranged that he should take his leave later in the autumn?
§ Mr. FITZROYThis question is postponed.
§ 12. Mr. FITZROYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any communication was made to Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman as to resignation before he went on leave; what was the date of the first official communication from him suggesting resignation; and whether at the time of the suggestion of resignation he had arranged that Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman should be required to retire, and had received the necessary sanction?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy answer covers both questions of the hon. Member, and there is no advantage in postponing either of them. There is no advantage to be gained by attempting to argue this matter by question and answer, and I do not propose to go into details, which are fully covered by my statement to the House on Thursday last. If the hon. Member wishes to pursue the subject in Debate, the usual opportunities are at his disposal.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer which he gave on the subject stated that Sir Francis Bridgeman voluntarily sent in his resignation on the plea of ill-health? Is it a fact that the right hon. Gentleman intentionally wished to mislead the House as to the true state of the case?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not a proper question. It is not competent for the Noble Lord to suggest that a Minister intentionally misleads the House. I certainly should not have allowed that to appear on the Paper.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXWould the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to whether the necessary sanction had been obtained?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLBefore I wrote the letter of 28th November I consulted the Prime Minister. In that sense the necessary sanction had been obtained.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table of the House a copy of the correspondence between himself and Sir Francis Bridgeman?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI certainly have no reason to shrink from laying correspondence on the subject, but I do not propose to do so, as it is private correspondence.
§ Mr. FITZROYIn view of the unsatisfactory answer of the First Lord of the Admiralty, I beg to give notice that I will raise the question on the Motion for Adjournment of the House on Friday.