HC Deb 14 January 1918 vol 101 c11
10. Mr. Killen

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the doctrine still prevails in the Navy that requires that a battleship shall keep beyond 10,000 yards from the enemy to fight her guns; if so, whether the results of this cautious policy have justified the strategy of the Admiralty; and, if not, whether he will place in the position of First Sea Lord a man of greater enterprise and resourcefulness than the present holder?

Sir E. GEDDES

Nothing is known at the Admiralty of the doctrine referred to, and the remainder of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. LYNCH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that doctrine is taken from the literal words of Admiral Jellicoe, and is it on a par with the administrative capacity of the Admiralty that they are not aware of the words of their own chief printed in all the public Press?

Sir E. GEDDES

I have nothing to add to what I have already said.

Mr. LYNCH

If in place of the right hon. Gentleman covering ignorance by this method, will he endeavour to bring a little illumination into his own Department and into his own mind?