§ Mr. BILLING(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if there was any other reason than a desire for accuracy in delaying the Admiralty Communiqués on the enemy destroyers' raid off Ramsgate on Thursday night until after the publication of the German official statement?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)There was no other reason.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre we to understand that it is necessary to wait for the German official communiqué before the Admiralty can make up its mind as to the results of a raid?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, Sir; No, Sir! The German destroyers attempted to approach the north end of the Downs during the night of the 23rd and 24th November. Our communiqué was issued on the evening of the 25th November, and had no reference to the issue of the German communiqué.
§ Mr. BILLING(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he had any information of the part played by the German air fleet during or immediately 35 preceding the raid by the enemy's destroyers off Ramsgate on Thursday night, and what part, if any, our Naval Air Service took in the action?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The answer to the second part is, none.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the fact that, although we have many naval air squadrons, up till recently they have been absolutely and definitely forbidden to drop bombs on Zeebrugge; and that it is only by the repeated representations of the Wing commanders that they have been allowed to do this?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.