§ 39. Mr. HOUSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the names and nationalities of the steamers and sailing vessels, and their respective tonnages and cargoes, recently captured or sunk by German cruisers in the Atlantic and Pacific and the dates of the said captures or sinkings, and what has become of the respective crews; the latitude and longitude of the respective captures or sinkings, and the names of the German cruisers still preying on British vessels and where they were last reported to have been seen; whether one of the vessels sunk was of American register; if he can state what action, if any, the United States Government proposes to take in connection with this act of German piracy; whether he can state how many vessels have been sunk in British waters since 10th March; and whether they were sunk by torpedo or mine and where they were sunk, and the fate of their crews?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI regret I am not in a position to give complete and authoritative lists of the nature desired. The Admiralty is naturally dependent in the first instance on neutral Press reports for particulars such as those of the vessels sunk by the "Prinz Eitel Friedrich." It would not be in the public interest to state the latest information in the possession of the Admiralty as to the whereabouts of German vessels still at large. Periodical statements are issued through the Press Bureau of losses of British merchant vessels in British waters, with such particulars as are available.
§ Mr. HOUSTONHas the right hon. Gentleman any news to give to the House about the "Chase Hill"?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, I have not.