25 Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether there has been any development of dockyard facilities since Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's Report was presented; and whether the dockyards are suited to the construction of cruisers and destroyers; if so, are cruisers and destroyers being built in these docks at the present time; (2) whether the Australian small-arms factory is in operation, and how many rifles were turned out in 1911 and 1912; whether the naval college is in full operation, and who is in charge; (3) whether the Australian Government has accepted Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson's naval defence scheme in its entirety or in part; and, in either case, what are the details of the scheme as to the construction of armoured protected cruisers, destroyers, and submarines; what period the construction will cover; what will be the extent of the personnel; what will be the annual cost of maintenance; and what construction has been already entered upon and what, if any, completed; and (4) whether the scheme, as was announced in 1911, for extensive naval works, including floating docks to be built by Vickers' Company at Montreal, has been carried out; and, if so, to what extent?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI regret that I cannot undertake to answer questions as to matters which are under the control of responsible Ministers of the Crown in the self-governing Dominions. General information as to the state of development of Dominion naval services is no doubt relevant to the naval policy of His Majesty's Government, and I have made and will continue to make statements on the subject when our own policy is under discussion in the House. The hon. Member will equally have an opportunity on such occasions of commenting on the Dominion naval services. If the hon. Member desires to make enquiry of, or convey suggestions to, the Dominion Governments on specific points the proper channel of communication is through my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary.
Sir G. PARKERAre we to understand that the Government decline to ask for information from the Dominion Governments in reference to matters in which the whole Empire is interested?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI certainly desire to-secure all proper information for the House 15 of Commons asks for, but as this is the first question of this kind during my tenure of office, I am bound to make it quite clear that we are not in a position to reply to questions in regard to the Dominion Navies as if they were our own Navies, and if we were to assume that position it might easily give offence.
Sir G. PARKERCan the right hon. Gentleman inform me in what way, as a Member of the House of Commons, I can obtain information of this kind?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWhen the Dominion Navies are maintained entirely at the expense of the Dominions concerned the position of the Admiralty is one of indirect responsibility, and although we shall always try to obtain all information which we think can properly be given we must act with delicacy in the matter.
Sir G. PARKERI fully recognise that. Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman will not ask the Commonwealth Government of Australia for information which this House desires?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will bring the question to the notice of the Dominions through my right hon. Friend in the regular way. I think it is more suitable that I should ask them in what way they wish us to give information in this House oft the various matters connected with the development of their naval affairs, but it Is entirely a matter for the Colonial Office to deal with, and the Admiralty must be very careful to confine itself to natters within its own sphere.