§ Mr. BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the various markings placed on official documents, with their meanings, as indicating the degree of secrecy and importance of the documents?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs regards books and circular letters officially issued, they are marked according to their description either as "Confidential," or "For the Information of Officers in His Majesty's Service only." As regards official correspondence intended to be treated as confidential, letters, as a general rule, are marked with the word "Confidential" only; occasionally they are marked as "Secret and Confidential," etc.; but this depends upon the authority of the Board, and follows no prescribed procedure. In certain cases documents and letters are marked "Secret," where they deal with subjects which, according to the War Office procedure, would be so marked.