HC Deb 28 October 1912 vol 43 cc16-7
28. Sir JOHN LONSDALE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he has any official information to the effect that 15-inch guns are being mounted in the ships laid down by Germany last year, and that the German battleships of the Kaiser class are already armed with 14-inch guns; and if he can state how the German 15-inch gun compares with the British 13.5-inch gun in weight, length, and weight of projectile?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Sir, I have no official information on this subject.

Sir J. LONSDALE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been stated in almost every newspaper?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have seen it stated in a good many newspapers. I have no official information on the subject.

Mr. C. CRAIG

Are we to understand the right hon. Gentleman's agents are giving him no information, official or otherwise?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think that the usage is very well understood.

Mr. C. CRAIG

Would it not be better for the right hon. Gentleman to say straight out that he does not propose to answer the question of my hon. Friend?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think that I might be permitted myself to choose the. answer.

Mr. SPEAKER

The question is to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has any "official information."