HC Deb 05 March 1918 vol 103 cc1831-3
53. Mr. GEORGE LAMBERT

asked whether Lord Fisher submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence, on the 14th May, 1914, a Memorandum pointing out that the coming of the submarine had broken down the whole foundation of our traditional naval strategy, and that the question must be faced as to how a blockade could be enforced and our mercantile commerce protected?

54. Commander BELLAIRS

asked whether Lord Fisher submitted a Memorandum to the Admiralty prior to the War in which he conveyed the warning that German submarines would be used against our commerce; if so, on what date; whether Lord Fisher was a member of the Defence Committee at the time; and whether this warning from a former First Sea Lord was brought to the notice of the Defence Committee and Cabinet?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am informed that Lord Fisher wrote a Memorandum early in 1914, but that it was not submitted either to the Board of Admiralty or to the Committee of Imperial Defence. I think that it was not circulated to the Cabinet, but I understand that it was given personally to the Prime Minister and the First Lord of the Admiralty.

In the report of the answer which I gave to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Maidstone on the 25th February I notice that the word "not" appears in the first sentence. As Lord Fisher was a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence in 1912 I am having the necessary correction made in the bound volume of the Official Report.

Mr. LAMBERT

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he did not make this correction before, and is he certain that the Prime Minister and the First Lord of the Admiralty of that date did not circulate that Memorandum to their Cabinet colleagues?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I said in my answer that I thought it was not circulated; but as I was not a member of the Cabinet at the time I can only be sure by asking the Prime Minister or some other member. As to the other part of the question, the mistake having been made I am having it corrected.

Mr. LAMBERT

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman consult the records of the Council of Imperial Defence, and find out whether this Memorandum was not circulated to that Council and to the Admiralty?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have given a direct answer about that. There are records of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and the answer is that it was not circulated by them. As regards the Cabinet I cannot say