27. Miss Wardasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an assurance that he will take whatever action is appropriate to prevent the publication of the sinking of merchant ships until the shipping companies concerned 199 have had a reasonable time to inform the relatives of any details about the personnel?
§ Mr. ChurchillWhile I fully appreciate the advantages of my hon. Friend's proposal, it is not within the power of the Admiralty to delay publication of such information unless there is a security reason for so doing. Even so publication is often made abroad.
Miss WardFrom the humanitarian point of view, will my right hon. Friend consider making strong representations in the appropriate quarter?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir. In regard to His Majesty's ships, we do not publish losses until we have informed the relatives, and I should like to see that practice applicable to the Mercantile Marine, but there is nothing like the same control there, and the possibility of publication abroad must always be borne in mind.
Miss WardWill my right hon. Friend, with his reputation for forceful action, use that forceful action in the appropriate quarter?