§ 66. Sir A. Southbyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to make a further statement to the House regarding the loss of His Majesty's ship "Royal Oak"?
§ 69. Mr. Lambertasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can, consistently with the public interest, state the result of the inquiry instituted into the sinking of the "Royal Oak"?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Churchill)The inquiry into the causes of the loss of His Majesty's ship "Royal Oak" is now taking place as speedily as possible, but I cannot say when I shall be in a position to make a further statement as a result of the inquiry. I hope next week.
§ Mr. LambertWill my right hon. Friend make another statement as to the result?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir; I will make another statement, but I shall have to be very careful not to disclose information which might be useful to other parties.
§ Sir A. SouthbyWhile safeguarding the public interest, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very grave apprehension there is in the public mind regarding this matter?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir, I will certainly bear that in mind.
§ Mr. AmmonIs the committee of inquiry taking into consideration the fact that so large a number of men were drowned in harbour?
§ Sir Charles CayzerHas the attention of my right hon. Friend been called to the statement made by the German U-boat commander himself that he waited for two days outside the harbour watching the tracks of vessels before he decided to go in?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir, I have seen a number of statements made by the German U-boat commander. In part they are a repetition of information which I have given to the House, and in part they have no relation to the facts.
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir, but in relation to Scapa Flow, "harbour" is not quite the right term, because it is a great landlocked bay many miles across. This ship was several miles from any other vessel.