§ Major GLYNasked the Prime Minister whether seeing the advisability of prohibiting subordinate officers from making any agreement or treaty that may have adverse effects upon naval or military operations without the direct consent of the Imperial Government, he can say what steps will be taken to ensure that there is no repetition of circumstances that are alleged to have been the cause of the failure of the expedition against Tanga?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe following orders were issued by the Admiralty to the Fleet in August, 1914, and remain in force:
"No terms of truce with the enemy, other than for a limited, period and for a special purpose, are to be agreed to by the Captains of any of His Majesty's ships without the permission of the Commander-in-Chief or Senior Naval Officer under whose authority the operations concerned are being carried out.
If permission is given to conclude a truce for an indefinite period, it must be made clear to the enemy authority that such agreement cannot be considered to be binding until it has received the formal sanction of His Majesty's Government."
My hon. and gallant Friend must not, however, understand that the allegation as to the cause of the failure of the expedition against Tanga is considered to be correct.