§ 1. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say when he proposes to make his statement to the House relative to his share in the expedition to Antwerp?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My right hon. Friend has no statement to make upon the subject.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHas the right hon. Gentleman not seen it stated in the papers this morning that the First Lord would make a statement?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have not seen that, but I will transmit it to my right hon. Friend the First Lord.
§ 2. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that many wives and dependants of the men of the Naval Brigade interned in Holland and prisoners who are at Doebritz have received no official intimation as to the whereabouts of their relatives; whether he is aware that many of these are not in a position to see the published returns; and whether he will take steps to officially inform the dependants of those interned in Holland and those who are prisoners at Doebritz as to the whereabouts of their relatives?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is every reason to believe that those interned in Holland are in postal communication with their relatives. Inquiries as regards those who are prisoners of war are being prosecuted through the Foreign Office, and corrections to the original list of missing will be published as information is obtained. Relatives will then be at once notified.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman publish returns as soon as possible? I have had many letters on the matter.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf the Noble Lord will send me the letters I will see what can be done.
§ 3. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that there is considerable anxiety amongst the dependants of the officers and men of the Naval Brigade, more particularly with regard to the casualty lists, which has been increased since the statement was made that he does not concern himself with the issue of those lists; will he inform the House what has become of the number of missing of which no account has been given; and who is responsible for the issue of the casualty lists?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is probable that the missing are largely accounted for by the prisoners of war of whom no information has yet been received, but in regard to whom inquiries are being prosecuted, as the Noble Lord has already been informed The casualty lists are issued by the Secretary of the Admiralty in the regular way.