§ LORD G. HAMILTON (Middlesex, Ealing)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Government has any further news with regard to the reverse which has occurred to a naval expedition in West Africa; and whether there is any truth in the statement of the evening papers that a second reverse has occurred, with further loss of life?
*THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE WORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeAll the information which can be given has been communicated to the newspapers, including the deplorable facts as to the loss of life. One further death has occurred, that of a man whose name is Underbill. With one exception, that is all I have to communicate. With reference to the last part of the question of the noble Lord, I have to say that, so far as the Admiralty are aware, there is no truth in the rumour of a second reverse at a place called Gunjur. The second party was merely reconnoitring the ground for a favourable place for landing. We feel assured that there is no truth in the rumour.