§ 5. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the regulations now in force governing the withdrawal of armoured ships from the squadrons of the first fleet for purposes of refit, etc.?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir, the subject is in the main confidential.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1904–5 regulations regulating the refit of these vessels were issued and do they still hold good?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot say, because I do not know, without notice, but I am advised that it would be contrary to naval interests for us to publish the regulations under which we are working.