HC Deb 15 July 1918 vol 108 cc707-8
67. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether one of our patrol boats recently rescued the crew of a derelict U-boat, the captain of which deliberately left on board four British seamen, who would have been drowned if they had not been heard knocking and been rescued; and, if this is so, what steps have been taken to deal with the captain of the U-boat?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)

The Admiralty have officially stated in the Public Press that they have no knowledge of this reported incident, and that the statement was made without their authority.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Are we to understand that this statement is absolutely without any basis of fact and is, in fact, a lie?

Dr. MACAMARA

We have stated that we have no information in confirmation of the statement which was made.

Mr. WHYTE

Has the officer concerned been asked to substantiate the statement?

Mr. PR INGLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement which appeared in the Tress was censored before publication?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot tell.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is there no Regulation providing that such a statement should be submitted to the Censor before publication with a view to preventing discredit falling upon the reports issued in this country?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As far as we know, it is without foundation.

Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERY

Does the Admiralty not consider this allegation of sufficient importance to be the subject of close and careful official inquiry, with a view to making public the facts of the case as to whether the report is true or not?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I may say that we at once communicated with the officer as to the grounds on which he made the statement.

Mr. G. TERRELL

Has there been a reply?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot say anything about the reply, because we have not an opportunity of reaching him at the moment, but we shall certainly get a reply from him.

Sir F. FLANNERY

Will you make public the result?

Mr. HOLT

Can we have an assurance that the Admiralty will make an official statement whether it is true or not?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Yes; I have already said that directly the report appeared in the newspapers we said we had no information about it, and we could not confirm it in any way whatever; but if we find that it is entirely without foundation, I shall certainly do so. The last tiling we want to do would be to bring discredit on any statement we make.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

What will happen to the officer?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I have not the slightest doubt that the Board will take very severe action if it should be found that the statement has no foundation.