§ 20. Sir A. Southbyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to state whether German surface vessels are operating on the trade routes; and, if so, to what type and class those vessels belong?
§ Mr. ChurchillTwo German warships of the "Deutschland" type have been reported as operating in the Atlantic, one in the North, the other in the South.
§ Mr. ThorneAre you chasing them?
§ Sir A. SouthbyAre these the only two surface vessels that have been reported, and can reliance be placed on the report that they are of "Deutschland" type?
§ Mr. ChurchillEvidence on this matter, as on other matters in this sphere, is conflicting, but I think that we may be sure that at least one vessel of "Deutschland" type has been abroad on the ocean.
§ Mr. ChurchillOh, yes Sir. We have people who have been held prisoner on board the "Deutschland" and we have reports from sailors of a ship captured by the "Deutschland" who were kept on the "Deutschland" for some time and who had an opportunity of making sure that it was that vessel.
§ Mr. CocksWhen will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to state that these ships have been sunk?
§ Mr. ChurchillI do not think that I ought to try to make any forecast of that kind.