HC Deb 22 March 1933 vol 276 cc313-4
5. Captain CUNNINGHAM - REID

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the proceedings of the court-martial which acquitted the late Admiral Sir Ernest Troubridge, K.C.M.G., C.B., C.V.O., in November, 1914, have never been made public, although repeatedly pressed for in this House; and whether, in fairness to the relatives of this officer, he will now authorise the publication?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

The full proceedings of the court-martial are much too voluminous for publication, and a large part of them is confidential. From the standpoint of the relatives of the late Sir Ernest Troubridge, the following information should, I think, be sufficient. The charge was one of forbearing from negligence or through other default to pursue the chase of His Imperial German Majesty's Ship "Goeben," being an enemy then flying. The concluding words of the finding were: The Court therefore finds that the charge against the accused is not proved, and fully and honourably acquits him of the same.

Captain CUNNINGHAM-REID

Is it not a fact that in the case of the "Royal Oak" the proceedings were published?

Sir B. EYRE

S MONSELL: I do not know what that has to do with the question.