§ 22. Mr. WINGasked the Secretary of State for War if, after the recent experience of the submarine attack on the North-East Coast, Seaham portion, which is of vital industrial importance, he will provide some more effective form of defence in the direction of guns, as it is believed that results disastrous to the enemy would have occurred if such had been in readiness, and seeing that the confidence and rational conduct of the people, which was commendable under such circumstances, was largely the result of their reliance on effective means being at hand to deal with such an attack?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy hon. Friend will, I am sure, acquit the Army Council of any want of sympathy with those who were the subjects of the recent attack if I say that the disposition of the guns and other means of defence available for the protection of the coast, which are settled and must be settled after careful consideration of all circumstances, cannot be made public. If I may say so, I fully agree with my hon. Friend that the demeanour of the people in the recent attack was worthy of all commendation.