HC Deb 07 August 1918 vol 109 cc1328-9
8. Mr. MACMASTER

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when the steamship "Llandovery Castle," carrying doctors and nurses, was torpedoed by a German submarine, the submarine commander demanded that the doctors who were passengers should be brought before him; whether, when seven doctors were so brought, he asserted that there were eight doctors; whether, in fact, eight doctors were to sail, but one was unable to do so owing to illness, and his name was not in the list of passengers; whether the commander's assertion suggests espionage at the port of shipment; and what means are taken to prevent such espionage?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The statements set forth in the question are not accurate; and as regards the concluding portion, it would be unwise to give any reply—in the very interest which I am sure has prompted my hon. Friend to put it. I can assure him that the Admiralty are not neglecting their duty in this and all similar matters. I need not, perhaps, add that any suggestion of improper use of this hospital ship is entirely without foundation.

Mr. MACMASTER

Did the right hon. Gentleman not see in the Press the statement made in the question?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I did not see it in the Press; at any rate, the statement is incorrect.

Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERY

Is it a fact that this vessel at the time she was lost was not carrying any German prisoners or wounded, and is it a fact that that was the first occasion for several times during her employment that she had no Germans on board?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot say that. I do not know. What I am concerned about is that any suggestion as to the improper use of this hospital ship is entirely without foundation.

Mr. MACMASTER

I did not make that suggestion.

Dr. MACNAMARA

No, but it is contained in the suggestion from the Press which is mentioned in the early part of the question.

Sir F. FLANNERY

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate the suggestion that when this vessel was torpedoed she had no Germans on board, and that when she had Germans on board she was not torpedoed?