FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. (Hansard, 19 February 1918)

§ Mr. HOGGE
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the First Lord of the Admiralty has returned from his duty, or is absent on that or other business 1

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That does not arise out of the question.

§ Mr. HOGGE
May I move the Adjournment of the House, in order to call attention to a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the absence of the First Lord of the Admiralty from this country?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That does not seem to me, on present information, to be a matter for the House to discuss. The right hon. Gentleman is away, I presume, on public business

§ Mr. HOGGE
On that point, Mr. Speaker, the House is not aware that the First Lord of the Admiralty is away on other business than Admiralty business, attending to railways, and other matters like that.

An HON. MEMBER
Never mind; he is getting on with the War.

§ Mr. HOGGE
We have a right, surely, in view of what is happening, to have some explanation from the Government as to what is happening?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member has not asked for any; he can put down a question on the subject.

§ Mr. HOGGE
How can I put a question down when the First Lord of the Admiralty is not here to answer it?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member has not asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is absent on public business or private affairs.