§ 7. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to give any further information with reference to the sinking of the German Fleet; whether the Admiralty received any warning or information, verbal or in writing, of the intention of the Germans to sink their ships; if so, what action was taken; and what warships were actually in Scapa Flow while the sinking of the German ships was being carried out?
§ Mr. LONGThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. When the first signs of the German ships sinking was observed, the position of His Majesty's ships based on Scapa was as follows: In harbour, two guard destroyers, one destroyer depot ship, one defective destroyer alongside depot ship; at sea, exercising, five battleships of the First Battle Squadron, two 1783 flotilla-leaders, and six destroyers, under the orders of Vice-Admiral Commanding First Battle Squadron. As soon as information was received by the vice-admiral that German ships were sinking, British ships at sea, exercising, returned to harbour with all dispatch, the first ship arriving about 2 p.m. and the last at 4 p.m.
§ Viscount CURZONIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to state that no information or warning was conveyed to the Admiralty beforehand?
§ Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYHas he had any warning about the ex-German battle cruiser "Goeben"?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat relates to another question.