§ 42. Mr. GEORGE TERRELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the disclaimer of the Board of Admiralty that they had had no dealings or interests in the shares of oil companies was first suggested by him as a proper course to be taken to the Board, and, if not, by which of the Lords of the Admiralty?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)Sir, I proposed to the Board of Admiralty that a statement of 285 our disinterestedness should be made to Parliament, and my Naval and Civil colleagues willingly associated themselves with me in making it. We considered that in view of the wide discretionary and confidential powers we are using on the one hand, and the prevalence of rumours and suspicions on the other, it would be a good thing for the House and the public to receive such an assurance. If the hon. Member is shocked at the procedure which we adopted in protection of naval interests, he should remember that the responsibility for the conditions which have led to it rest with those who have given countenance to scurrilous imputations, for which they admit they have no evidence or justification.
§ Mr. GEORGE TERRELLWas there any suggestion or rumour that the Naval Lords had had any dealings in oil shares?
Mr. GEORGE HAMILTONAre we to understand that the initiative for this extraordinary statement was the right hon. Gentleman's and did not proceed from the Sea Lords of the Admiralty?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have said I proposed to the Board of Admiralty that such a statement should be made. I am at a loss to see why the hon. Gentleman should think that such a statement is humiliating or undignified, or why I should be so much more careful of the dignity or honour of naval or military officers or civilian officials than of Ministers of the Crown.
§ Mr. GEORGE TERRELLDid the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Members of the Government that they should also concur in the disclaimer?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI preside at the Board of Admiralty. That is the Board charged with dealing with these matters, and it is on their behalf that I make statements to the House.
§ Mr. HUNTHas any imputation at all, in the papers or otherwise, ever been brought against British admirals or British gentlemen in the Navy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Board of Admiralty as a whole is responsible for these contracts. They are dealt with by the Board collectively and as a whole, and any suggestions or imputations of bad faith in the matter, or of failure of public duty, apply to the Board collectively, and would be resented by the Board collectively.