HC Deb 05 March 1919 vol 113 cc370-1
5. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Court of Inquiry on the loss of forces belonging to the British naval battalions retreating fom Antwerp in 1914 has sent in its Report; whether the terms of reference and the finding can now be given; and whether, in the event of a public court-martial not being held and in view of the public interest in the matter, the Admiralty are prepared to deviate from the secrecy which is the rule in regard to Courts of Inquiry by publishing the whole of the proceedings?

Mr. LONG

The Court of Inquiry has reported, and the Report is now being considered. The Court was directed to investigate the circumstances in which the First Royal Naval Brigade came to be interned in Holland in October, 1914. It is not possible to disclose the finding or to publish the proceedings.

6. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Court of Inquiry which has just been held on the losses in the retreat from Antwerp was instructed to take into full consideration the responsibility of those who sent newly-formed forces in an untrained and unequipped state to face fully-trained German armies; and whether the present Secretary of State for War and the present Under-Secretary of State for the Air Ministry gave evidence before the Court?

Mr. LONG

The Court of Inquiry, as I have just said, was directed to investigate the circumstances in which the First Royal Naval Brigade came to be interned in Holland in October, 1914; the Under-Secretary of State for the Air Ministry gave evidence before the Court, but not the Secretary of State for War.

Commander BELLAIRS

Was not the evidence of the Secretary for War of great importance to the Court in view of the part he played in the matter?

Mr. LONG

I imagine that was a matter for the Court to decide. Certainly it was not a question for me.