§ Mr. R. MCNEILL(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to give any information to the House with regard to raids by the enemy on coast towns in Kent last night?
§ Sir E. CARSONOne of our destroyers on patrol duty in the Channel encountered 1694 a force of several enemy destroyers between 11 p.m. and midnight last night. A short engagement ensued, in which our destroyer was not damaged, although under heavy fire from guns and torpedoes. The effect of our fire on the enemy could not be ascertained. The enemy vessels were pursued, but were lost in the darkness. At about the same time another force of enemy destroyers bombarded for about a quarter of an hour the undefended watering-places of Broadstairs and Margate. As soon as the firing was heard our forces in the vicinity were called to the scene. The enemy only remained in the vicinity for a short period, and had already withdrawn before the arrival of our vessels, and in the darkness could not be located. The casualties, so far as I can ascertain them, were one woman and one child killed and two children injured.
§ Mr. MCNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman give any information with regard to the damage done to the towns bombarded?
§ Sir E. CARSONSo far as I have been able to obtain information, I believe two-houses have been injured.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many enemy vessels were engaged in this raid?
§ Sir E. CARSONI can only say we have knowledge that there were several enemy destroyers.