"Apparently," added Mr, Chamber-Jain, "my efforts to spare the public unnecessary agitation were not altogether successful, but the incident will, at any rate, have served to demonstrate the constant readiness of the British Navy for all eventualities," laughter and cheers).
The Premier said that he had secon Lord Stanhope, and the First Lord had explained the circumstances which his remarks were made. The occasion was the initiation of a new scheme for showing films to the Royal Navy.
With regard to the proceedings subsequent to Lord Stanhope's speech, Mr. Chamberlain continued:—"1 have been informed that considerable comment has been aroused carly report on the wireless of what Lord Stanhope said. Since it seemed to me likely to be treated as a sensa~ tional matter, whereas there reason or foundation for any sensation, T gave directions that the Press should be asked not to publish an Account, or, if they did publish it, not to ascribe to it any particular importance.
Mr. Chamberlain made his statement following a request. by Mr. Arthur Greenwood, the Deputy Lender of the Labosr Opposition Opening of Yangtze shen the comes."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.