§ Commander BELLAIRS (by Private Notice)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty with reference to the recent torpedoing of a troopship off Alexandria, whether he can state at what time the vessel arrived off the port, at what time she was torpedoed; whether the escort had proceeded into harbour; why she was kept in danger outside the harbour in broad daylight for so long an interval; and what action has been taken on the inquiry into the loss?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)My hon. and gallant Friend is presumably here referring to the loss of the steamship "Aragon," concerning which I stated the loss of life approximately to the House on the 23rd January, and an official communication giving closer detail was issued on the 30th January. As regards the points raised in the question, an inquiry has been held in the usual way, one of His Majesty's destroyers having, as already announced, been lost on the occasion under reference. The report of the inquiry has not yet reached us from the Commander-in-Chief.
§ Commander BELLAIRSCould not the right hon. Gentleman after this interval inform us what time the vessel arrived off the port and what time she was torpedoed, because this is not the first case of vessels being kept waiting outside Alexandria, which is a non-tidal port, and there is no excuse
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that in the usual course when one of His Majesty's ships is lost a full inquiry is held by naval officers. A Report will be sent to the Admiralty, and then I shall be in a position to answer questions.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to give answers to those questions, because there are a great many people who are very anxious to put a stop to this practice of ships being kept waiting outside harbours?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am sure it will be the wish of the First Lord to give all possible information on the subject.