§ 4. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether His Majesty's Government have yet made any proposals to the German Government for an agreement with regard to armaments, either by way of a year's naval holiday or of a limitation of the size of capital ships, as suggested by the First Lord of the Admiralty?
§ Sir E. GREYNo proposals have been made on these subjects otherwise than in public speeches.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of Admiral Von Tirpitz calling attention to those public speeches and saying that they have not been followed up by proposals, and that any proposals would be received with due consideration; and is it the intention of His Majesty's Government to follow up by definite proposals what they have said on the public platform?
§ Sir E. GREYI think that question ought to be more conveniently dealt with on the Navy Estimates than by question and answer. I understand there is still further debate on those Estimates, and I would rather leave it to the First Lord of the Admiralty or whoever his deputy may be to explain. I will say at once that the impression my hon. Friend has received from the report he has read of what Admiral Von Tirpitz has said is not really the same impression as that which is conveyed by the official report of what was actually said.
§ Mr. R. HARCOURTIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that many extended references were made in the debate by Admiral Von Tirpitz and ether speakers expressing regret that official representations had not been made?
§ Mr. J. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this question is raised on the Navy Estimates the First Lord of the Admiralty refers to the Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Secretary refers to the First Lord of the Admiralty?
§ Sir E. GREYWhat I remember to read was that my right hon. Friend did say that either he or I would deal with this point on the Navy Estimates.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay we take it that if any proposal is made it will be made through the Foreign Office and not through the Admiralty?
§ Sir E. GREYThat would be the channel undoubtedly through which any official proposal would be made.