§ 5. Colonel YATEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the reports that two Arctic vessels were recently sunk by a German U-boat in Spitzbergen waters, and that about forty other vessels which were busy sealing and whaling there were in danger of being sunk if the German submarines were left undisturbed; and whether, considering that Spitzbergen belongs to Great Britain, having been proclaimed British territory under treaty with the Dutch in the seventeenth century, he will take steps to give the necessary protection to these vessels, as well as to the employés of the British companies engaged in working the mines there?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The Admiralty will take such steps as are practicable, in Arctic as in other waters, to meet the activities of enemy submarines.