§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the descriptive account of the battle of Jutland brought out by the Harper Committee will be published; and what has been the total expenses of the committee, including the printing of the publication?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Long)I regret that I am not in a position to state when the account will be published. Difficulties arising, among other things, from the provision of paper for the charts, are stated to be likely to delay the publication beyond the time given in previous estimates. The expense of the work cannot yet be given in full till the publication is completed; but it is anticipated that it will be balanced to a substantial extent by the sales.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that we are to wait for the chart paper?
§ Mr. LONGNo, that is not what I said. I said difficulties arising, among other things, from the provision of paper for the charts had caused delay. There is no avoidable delay.
§ Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea when this Report will be forthcoming? Will it be before the summer Recess or not?
§ Mr. LONGI cannot say that. I have said, what I think ought to satisfy any reasonable person, that there is no avoidable delay. The Admiralty are just as anxious as anyone in the House or out of it. We will produce it the first moment we can.
§ Commander BELLAIRSAs the Report intimately concerns Lord Jellicoe, will it appear before he departs for New Zealand?
§ Commander BELLAIRSAugust.