§ Mr. AttleeHas the Prime Minister any further statement to make about naval operations in the North Sea?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not propose to-day to make any general statement on the naval aspects of the war, as I hope it will be possible for one to be made by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty to-morrow, when perhaps more information than 584 we now possess will have come to hand. The House, however, will probably wish to hear the account which I have just received of the fierce action fought by the British destroyers against the German force in Narvik this morning. Five British destroyers steamed up the fiord, and engaged six German destroyers, of the latest and largest type, which were also supported by the shore batteries and guns newly mounted ashore. His Majesty's ship Hunter was sunk, and the Hardy was so severely injured that she had to run ashore and become a wreck. The Hotspur also received serious damage, and the destroyer Hostile slight damage. The remaining vessel, the Havoc, was untouched.
After a most determined action against a superior force, with larger and more modern ships, and in the face of gun-fire from the shore, the damaged Hotspur withdrew, covered by the other two destroyers. The enemy appeared in no condition to attempt pursuit. One 1,600-ton German destroyer was torpedoed, and believed sunk, and three were left heavily hit and burning. It is perhaps not less important that six merchant ships, suspected of containing the unloaded stores of the German expedition, were sunk in the action by the British destroyers. On the way out, they met the German ship Ravensfeld, which was found to be carrying the reserve ammunition of the landed German forces. This vessel was blown up. The House will naturally not expect me to deal in any way with further operations.
§ Mr. J. MorganWas not a heavy gale blowing at the same time, giving added glory to the episode?