HC Deb 29 April 1918 vol 105 cc1278-9
36. Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the absence of weekly publication of the tonnage of ships sunk by enemy submarines, he will publish each week a statement of the number of British ships attacked, along with such general information of the results as may be of public interest?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The revised method of publishing losses, which was decided on after very full consideration and consultation with our Allies, was only recently brought into force, and to amplify it in the manner and to the extent proposed is considered undesirable.

Sir F. FLANNERY

Does that answer mean that intervals of a whole month must elapse before any information is made public as to the war against the submarines?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Oh, yes. The statement issued last week was that the tables of losses would be given on the Thursday morning following the 21st of each month.

Sir F. FLANNERY

Does that mean there will be intervals of one month before any official information is published?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes.

Mr. A. WILLIAMS

Then it will be three weeks old.