§ 17. Sir R. COOPERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Intelligence Department of the Admiralty was shown on 9th May the system under which the plans of the Admiralty for bombarding Ostend were conveyed to the enemy; and can he say what steps were taken to make it impracticable for that system of conveying information to be subsequently used?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Intelligence Department was shown a system by means of which, it was stated, intelligence was conveyed to the enemy, but the responsible authorities are satisfied that, without questioning the good-will of the informant, he was and is wrong in the conclusions he drew.
§ Sir R. COOPERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman—inasmuch as this system was apparently in operation only yesterday—if I can bring further information which throws light upon this question he will be good enough to consider it very seriously?
§ Dr. MACNAMARACertainly; I was going myself to invite the hon. Baronet to see the Director of Naval Intelligence and go into the matter with him.
§ Mr. BILLINGHas Admiral Hall been called upon to report on the system, and, if so, will he lay the Report on the Table of the House?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs to laying a Report I cannot say; but the whole matter has been discussed with great care.