49. Major NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that after rescuing the crew of a derelict U-boat the commander of the patrol boat inquired of the U-boat commander if all were off the U-boat, as he intended to blow her up, that the commander replied in the affirmative, and that just before the charge was exploded tapping was heard and it was 891 discovered that four British seamen were on the boat tied up as prisoners; and, if this commander is in our hands, why has he not been shot for his inhumanity?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers which I gave yesterday to a, similar question.
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo, Sir. I said that we issued a statement at once when we saw that it was without authority, and we had no knowledge whatever about it. I further said that we are inquiring of the author of the statement as to the ground on which he made it. I cannot go further for the moment, and it is entirely without foundation as far as we know.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, we have been in communication with him, and we have asked him to tell us what he meant. We asked him who it was that said it.
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo; not wholly and completely. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we shall deal with this matter quite faithfully when we get the information.