Major DAVIESasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state at whose instigation Admiral Lord Jellicoe has visited Australia; what action he proposes to take in connection with Lord Jellieoe's recommendation that a Far Eastern Fleet shall be maintained at an estimated annual cost of £19,750,000; and what the division of cost will be as between the Home and Dominion Governments?
§ Mr. LONGLord Jellieoe's tour of India and the Dominions was undertaken in compliance with the request of the Governments concerned. The suggestion of Lord Jellieoe's name, and the actual arrangements for his tour, were made by the Admiralty. The recommendations made by Lord Jellicoe in his various Reports will all need careful consideration —firstly, by the Governments to whom they are primarily addressed and, secondly, by the Admiralty and His Majesty's Government when they are consulted. There is no question at present of any immediate action being taken in consequence of the Reports, which would involve increased charges on the Imperial Exchequer.