§ 5. Lieut.-Colonel Heneageasked the Prime Minister whether he will give the instances in which German air forces have bombed hospital units or ships belonging to Great Britain, the Norwegian Government, or private units under the Red Cross?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not in a position to give many details of operations in Norway. I can state, however, that bombs have been aimed, though unsuccessfully, at a British hospital ship which was lying quite apart from all other ships at the time of the attack and that on three occasions Norwegian hospital ships have been 1201 bombed in Norwegian waters, with serious loss of life to doctors and nurses. I understand that the Norwegian Government have asked the International Red Cross to make emphatic representations to the German Government to respect the red cross on Norwegian ships.
As I told my hon. and gallant Friend in reply to his Question on 1st May, it is hoped that a fuller statement on the German methods of warfare in Norway will be made when detailed reports come in.
§ Mr. ManderIs there anything in the least surprising in this? Is it not what the Nazis always do?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHave His Majesty's Government submitted to the Red Cross at Geneva the evidence they possess on this point?
§ Mr. ButlerWe are waiting on the evidence of the Norwegian campaign to give our full report. The hon. Member may be satisfied that we shall take the best possible steps to make the details known.