§ 20. Mr. HOLTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with regard to British steam vessels of 1,600 tons gross tonnage and upwards lost through war perils within 200 miles of the West, North-West, and South-West coasts of Ireland, the number of vessels so lost in each of the months of February, March, April, May, and June, 1917; the number of such vessels which 1590 were so lost whilst in sight of a British warship or of a British patrol vessel; the number of such vessels from which the crews were taken off by British warships or British patrol vessels; and the number of such vessels from which the crews were saved in the vessels' own boats?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My right hon. Friend the First Lord is advised that the public interest would not be served by publishing the proportion of losses occurring in any particular area. Further, so far as can be seen, the statistical information asked for would not afford any advantage commensurate with the expenditure of time and labour required for its collection.
§ Mr. HOLTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the losses of merchant ships in the areas indicated in the question is very serious, and is he aware that great alarm is now arising amongst ship-owners and shipmasters by finding their ships marshalled by the Admiralty in areas where there are German submarines; and will he make some statement indicating that the Admiralty policy has been altered, or otherwise restore confidence in what is being done?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should certainly regret if confidence wore in any way undermined. I say this without at all accepting my hon. Friend's statement. If my hon. Friend, however, has any views on the matter let him state them to me and I will transmit them to the War Staff, or, if he likes, I shall be glad to help him to transmit those views to the War Staff himself.