Correspondents include: Herbert Asquith [later 1st Lord Oxford and Asquith, Prime Minister] on a naval memorandum by 2nd Lord Esher [earlier Reginald Brett, member of the Committee of Imperial Defence] and a projected meeting of the Committee of Imperial Defence at Malta on naval strategy (3); Sir Charles Ottley, Secretary to the Committee, on recognition for the services of the Committee's officers, particularly Adrian Grant-Duff [Assistant Secretary (Military)], and on the suitability of Maurice Hankey to be his own successor (3); 1st Lord Haldane [Secretary of State for War] on Esher's naval memorandum, his own and WSC's positions and support from the Government, the defences of the Cromarty [Ross and Cromarty, Scotland] and Scapa Flow naval bases, the financial freedom of departments in the War Office, and WSC's recent speeches at Dundee [Scotland] (2); Maurice Hankey [Assistant Secretary to the Committee] on Ottley's departure from the Committee, his own hopes to succeed Ottley, and defences for Cromarty, Scapa Flow and the Humber (2); Sir Edward Grey [later 1st Lord Grey of Fallodon, Foreign Secretary] on the Committee's report on aerial navigation.Also includes: WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty], on Esher's naval memorandum, and the need to concentrate, rather than disperse, naval forces; his own ultimate responsibility as First Lord; the need to fortify Cromarty harbour as a temporary naval base and its advantages over Rosyth [Fife, Scotland]; his speech at Dundee on Irish Home Rule.