HC Deb 28 November 1917 vol 99 cc1983-4
8. Mr. PRINGLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state how many German submarines were sunk on 16th and 17th November?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I can add nothing to the statement of the Prime Minister, which was based on information received by the War Cabinet from the Admiralty on the morning of the 19th.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is there any reason why the right hon. Gentleman cannot give the figures for the 16th?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I simply stated that the statement made by the Prime Minister was based on information given him by the Admiralty on the 19th.

Mr. PRINGLE

Was it in accordance with the information you gave?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Oh, yes, Sir.

Mr. HOGGE

Are we to understand that there were no ships sunk on the 16th and that five were sunk on the 17th?

Dr. MACNAMARA

In reply to a supplementary question, I said that the statement was made to the War Cabinet on the morning of the 19th, and fully justified the statement made by the Prime Minister.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why he is trying to wriggle out of the two dates and why does he not come down and give us the frank figures and say whether or not there were submarines sunk on the 16th, and whether the five referred to by the Prime Minister were sunk on the 17th or on the 16th and 17th?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have nothing to add to the information I have given. It would be wrong and dangerous to the public interest to suggest that anybody was desiring to wriggle. I feel bound to say this. I cannot imagine that my hon. Friends would consciously say or do anything to assist the enemy, but I happen to know, and can assure the House, that endeavours to cast doubt upon statements made in this matter are eagerly watched by the enemy, and, further, do give the greatest possible encouragement to him and to his civil population.

Mr. HOGGE

Do we understand that the only person in this House entitled to give information to the enemy is the Prime Minister?