§ 46. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the statement by the United States Secretary to the Navy declaring that shipping losses in the month of March exceeded those sustained in February; that the position was serious; and whether he has any information to give the House on this important subject?
§ The Prime MinisterMy attention has been drawn to this statement. I agree with Colonel Knox that the results of U-boat warfare are serious, as they always must be. His statement, however, refers to a limited period following one in which sinkings were comparatively small. Viewing the battle against the U-boats as a whole, I can repeat my previous assurance that we are more than holding our own.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am very glad to be reassured on this subject, as I have no doubt other hon. Members are also; but is not the Prime Minister aware that there is considerable disquiet about the matter among seamen who are engaged in this warfare and among shipowners? Is it not possible to give the country and the House some information on the subject?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not want to give exact information, which would be of great advantage to the enemy; but a great deal of information of a general character has been given upon this subject. I do not believe that the disquiet is more serious than it naturally would be at a time when this form of warfare is being levied upon us, and certainly, if it were, there is no ground for it.
§ Mr. ShinwellI appreciate all that, but I would ask whether, in addition to the statement made by the American Secretary to the Navy on this subject, the attention of the Prime Minister has been directed to the statement made by the Minister of Aircraft Production recently, that we have not mastered the U-boat? It is statements of that kind which create disquiet. Would it not be better to fortify people with some information of a reassuring character?
§ The Prime MinisterThe actual significance of the word "mastered" is, of course, open to discussion. I should prefer my phrase "more than holding our own."
§ Earl WintertonThe right hon. Gentleman indicated upon a previous occasion that he would give consideration to the desirability of having a Secret Session on the matter. May I ask whether he has come to any decision?
§ The Prime MinisterI should deprecate it.