§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked whether the Admiralty has taken notice of the information published in the January and February numbers of a technical paper concerning certain gunboats of the Russian Navy fitted with Diesel engines; and whether the information now published was in the possession of the Admiralty before January and February of this year?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe substance of what was published has been in the possession of the Admiralty for a considerable time prior to January last, and the articles in question generally corroborate and amplify in some details our previous information.
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked whether the Admiralty sent a representative some time ago to Russia to make inquiries as to the working of the Diesel engines fitted in certain vessels on the Caspian Sea and on the Volga; whether the sought-for information was refused by the owners of the vessels; whether letters of introduction, which would have facilitated matters, were offered to the Admiralty; and whether such letters, which would have thus led to the Admiralty receiving the information they sought, were refused?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that nothing is known at the Admiralty of any such visit.