§ 4. Mr. LYNCHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether at any time since his accession to office information has been withheld from the public of this country of the sinking of ships by submarines; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that the enemy is already in possession of such information, he will reconsider this hide-the-truth policy and so put an end to disquieting rumours?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My right hon. Friend the First Lord wishes it clearly to be understood that there has been no concealment of losses. The weekly return of losses published by the Admiralty includes all losses that have been verified within the period covered by the return.
§ Mr. LYNCHIs the right hon. Gentleman quite sure that he is well informed of the doings within the scope of his own Department, and that trouble is taken to verify it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes; certainly.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs there any objection to reverting to the old system of allowing the loss of a particular ship to be published as soon as it is known in London without waiting for the publication of the weekly returns?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy right hon. Friend, in introducing the Navy Estimates, said that he would have returns prepared and issued not daily, but in as rapid succession as he could, and he came to the conclusion that a weekly return, which would give time for verification, is the best form. All losses are included.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWould the right hon. Gentleman see that in addition to the number of ships the weekly returns will give the tonnage, as a mere statement of the numbers would be misleading?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat was a suggestion made by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton. He had a question on that point for next week, and I would prefer to wait until then.