HC Deb 25 August 1914 vol 66 c22
Mr. BONAR LAW

May I ask the Prime Minister if he is prepared to give the House any information?

The PRIME MINISTER

We have heard this morning from Sir John French that the withdrawal already announced of his troops to their new position was successfully effected. It was not accomplished without considerable loss. He was pressed hard by the enemy, who were, however, shaken off. It is not desirable to say anything more for the moment, except that the Field-Marshal reports that, in spite of some hard marching and fighting, the British force is in the best of spirits. He provisionally estimates the casualties at something over 2,000, but we have as yet received no names.