HC Deb 13 June 1917 vol 94 cc958-9
Mr. CROOKS

I desire to ask the Under-Secretary for War whether he has any information to give the House regarding the raid to-day?

Mr. ASQUITH

I think that there are two subjects on which the House would like to have such information as the Government can, consistently with the public interest, give. The first is as to the nature and extent of the air raid which has taken place in London to-day, and the other, which is not less important, is as to what is going on in Greece?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As regards the air raid, I am sorry that I have not got much information to give to the House. If fuller information comes—as I expect it will—an opportunity will be taken to communicate it to the House before the Adjournment. As far as is known, twelve or fifteen enemy areoplanes crossed the coast at the North Foreland, and proceeded across Essex straight for London. Two bombs are reported to have been dropped near the North Foreland.

At 11.25 a.m. bombs began to drop in the East-End of London. In the City of London itself thirteen bombs fell. The casualties in the City of London—as known up to now—are thirty-one killed and sixty-seven injured. All the anti-aircraft guns in the defences of London were in action, and large numbers of aeroplanes went up in pursuit. The casualties in the Metropolitan area are not yet known, but I regret to say that a council school was hit in the East End of London, ten children being killed and about fifty injured. So far it is only definitely known that one of the enemy machines has been brought down.

As regards the second question of my right hon. Friend, His Majesty's Government have received information from Athens that King Constantine has abdicated the throne of Greece—(general cheers)—in favour of his second son Alexander, who has taken the oath as king, and we hope that this event will make for the reunion of Greece and the restoration of constitutional government in that country.

Mr. LYNCH

What does the Government expect to gain by that change? Is it not simply perpetuating the same regime under another name?

Mr. BONAR LAW

What the Government hope to gain is that there will be in Greece constitutional government representative of Greece.

Mr. LYNCH

Is it not a fact that the weakness of the Government has endangered the whole campaign there?

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Is it a fact that King Constantine has been given permission to abdicate in favour of a man of his own choice, and, having regard to the fact that he has been practically expelled from his throne, should he be allowed to nominate his successor?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I really do not think that it is in the public interest at present to afford more information than I have given, but perhaps I may say that the hon. Gentleman is wrong in saying that the successor was nominated by the late King.

Mr. LYNCH

The dynasty has been preserved.

Mr. MacNEILL

May I ask one further question with reference to King Tino, in whom we are interested. The right hon. Gentleman has heard the cheers that greeted the announcement of the abdication.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman is now making a statement.

Mr. MacNEILL

May I ask a question? I only made the statement by way of preface.

Mr. SPEAKER

If the hon. Gentleman asks for information, he is entitled to put a question.

Mr. MacNEILL

This is a real question of information. I want to know whether this gentleman, who has been expelled from his throne, will be retained in possession of the Order of the Bath and likewise of the Royal Victorian Chain?