§ 28. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information from the records of the Admiralty, such as the special signals records, as to the time at which on the night of the Battle of Jutland the "Lion" warned her consorts of her intention to turn about?
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs not the hon. Gentleman turning day into night?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must confess that I was a little puzzled by the word "night" in the question, but I do not think it has any special significance. I must refer the hon. Member to the Admiralty Narrative of the Battle of Jutland published in 1924 which gives the chronology of all the movements in the battle as accurately as the Admiralty can fix it from the signal logs and other records.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the definite denial of this statement made publicly by Sir Euan Evans Thomas, and can he say whether the statement made by this gentleman or the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer is correct?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf the hon. Gentleman will read the narrative, he will find, on page 12, that at 2.31 the "Barham" had received the signal indicating the course which the Vice-Admiral (Admiral Beatty) intended to steer. The actual executive signal is logged as having been received at 2.37 p.m. by the "Barham."
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow was that signal sent; was it by flag or searchlight?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI think it, would be better to have any further questions put down on the Paper. Perhaps hon. Members who are anxious for further information will refer to the official narrative.