§ 45. Mr. MOLTENOasked the Prime Minister whether the bombing of Freiburg, announced by the Admiralty as having taken place on 14th April as a reprisal for the sinking of British hospital ships, is in accord with assurances given to this House from time to time; and whether it is part of a new policy of entering into a competition with the enemy by way of reprisals?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh.
§ Mr. MOLTENOSeeing that the casualties incurred included twenty-six women and children killed and injured, does the War Cabinet think that it would be in accordance with the high principles of humanity if fighting men are withdrawn from fighting the armed forces of the enemy to attack the civil population, when casualties of this kind are likely to occur, in view of the fact that women and children are now in the majority?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy hon. Friend must be aware that these considerations were fully weighed by the Government before they took the course which was taken.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHas the Government made up its mind as to what it will consider a test of the success of this policy of reprisal?
§ Mr. FRANCEIs not the best reprisal of all to fight and beat the Germans in accordance with British traditions both on land and sea?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; but we think also that in certain circumstances reprisals are inevitable.