§ 7. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state what are the numbers, what the composition, and what the cost to the country of the Naval and Marine Brigades, a portion of which was recently employed at Antwerp in land service; and whether he can state how many officers and men of the original brigades are interned in Holland, giving the men's ratings?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)The German Admiralty have not published the strength and composition of the Naval and Marine Brigades they are now employing in Belgium, and I see no reason why a similar reticence should not be practised here. I shall be happy to give the Noble Lord, as honorary colonel of one of the brigades, the fullest details of its composition. The names of all officers and men interned in Holland were published in the Press on the 26th of last month.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to clear up a point? The "Times" issued a list on the 21st, which they called "Further List of Casualties." On the 18th the right hon. Gentleman said that the list was approximately 1,000. Is the further list in addition to the 1,000 on the 18th?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not concern myself with the issue of these lists, but I will make inquiries as to what is the full number. My impression is no; certainly not.