HC Deb 23 November 1916 vol 87 cc1589-90
112. Mr. HOUSTON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to give a full and accurate Report upon the recent Channel raid; whether he can now definitely state if any of the enemy vessels were sunk or even damaged; and whether he has now ascertained if there was any lack of vigilance or any delay on the part of the Admiralty or anyone connected with it in connection with this enemy raid?

Dr. MACNAMARA

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the statements he has already made on this subject.

Mr. HOUSTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman really not realise that it is time to tell the whole truth, and give the people something else?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I must protest—

Mr. HOUSTON

I said "the 'whole' truth." I did not say "the truth."

Sir E. CARSON

Can we be given the information the First Lord of the Admiralty gave to the Press?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot recall offhand what that was.

Colonel YATE

Will the right hon. Gentleman state why no court-martial was held on the loss of His Majesty's ship "Flirt"?

Dr. MACNAMARA

My hon. and gallant Friend has not noticed the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) that, "Courts of Inquiry have been held into the loss of His Majesty's ship 'Flirt' and the stranding of His Majesty's ship 'Nubian.' The reports will be fully considered at the Admiralty."

Colonel YATE

I asked why no court-martial had been held?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The hon. and gallant Member had better put the question down on the Paper.

Sir H. DALZIEL

May I inquire whether anyone has been censured in connection with this occurrence?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Not to my knowledge. I am not aware that any censure was necessary. The reports are very full, and they are now before us.

Mr. HOUSTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that concealment is really necessary?

Mr. SPEAKER

This questioning is turning into a conversational vein.

Mr. ASHLEY

Can the right hon. Gentleman state whether it was from Thursday to Tuesday before the Admiralty received the full report of this matter?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The first report was a telegram which, if I remember rightly, was embodied in the Press communiquéSubsequently to that—which was within a few hours—there was a long detailed report giving a great deal of the substance which my right hon. Friend stated to the House.

Colonel YATE

Arising out of that—

Mr. SPEAKER

Any further questions had better be put down.