§ 4. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the decision of the British Government to refrain from bombarding Cologne on Corpus Christi Day was communicated by the German Government to the German people through the Press or in any other way; and whether he can say that the concession was taken advantage of by the German military authorities for the movement of troops or supplies within the privileged area?
§ Lord R. CECILI cannot say what action the German Government may have taken with regard to the publication of His Majesty's Government's decision in this matter. The second part of the question should be addressed to the War Office.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGIs the Noble Lord aware that in consequence of this a number of German squadrons were released to take part in an offensive against the British, and in these circumstances will he recommend to the Government that it shall not occur again?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for the War Office.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEReferring to the first part of the reply, has the Noble Lord's attention been drawn to the statements in the German papers that Corpus Christi Day is held on a different day in Germany to that in France, and that no bombardment of Paris took place on the Sunday when the celebration was held in France; and, therefore, does it not follow that the whole question has been under discussion in Germany?