HC Deb 19 February 1941 vol 369 cc161-3
Mr. Shinwell

(by Private Notice): asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make on the reported loss of 13 vessels in convoy, and whether these vessels were under protection?

The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

As I have already warned my hon. Friend, it is not possible to answer his Question without assisting the enemy, which would not be in the public interest. My hon. Friend should not, however, assume that the reports broadcast by the enemy are correct.

Mr. Shinwell

May I ask my hon. Friend whether it is not the case that a full report has appeared in the American Press and that the statement has also appeared that this very important convoy, in which 13 or 14 vessels were lost, had no protection whatever? Are these facts not well enough known to the enemy, and are we always to shield ourselves by complaining about questions being raised which may give information to the enemy; and is it not also desirable to expose anything in the nature of deficiencies in order to protect our shipping and our merchant seamen?

Mr. Alexander

My hon. Friend, at the beginning of that Supplementary Question, fell into the same error as before; he assumed that the statements of the enemy were correct.

Mr. Shinwell

No.

Mr. Alexander

My hon. Friend said "in which 13 or 14 ships were lost," which is the statement of the enemy. It is a statement that I do not accept — I have already said that I do not accept it — any more than I accepted the report in the case of a previous convoy in the Atlantic, where their claims were grossly exaggerated. I cannot add anything effective to the answer I have already given to my hon. Friend, except to say that, on the principle laid down at the beginning of the operations of the present Government, when it comes to a question of giving information to the enemy, it is quite open to Members of the House at any time to ask the Prime Minister whether we can have a Secret Session. I should always be happy then, with the consent of the Prime Minister, to deal with the matter with the confidence that the House deserves.

Mr. Shinwell

Will my right hon. Friend now say that the statement which has appeared in the American Press to the effect that 13 vessels have been lost is untrue?

Mr. Speaker

The Minister has said that he has nothing more to say.

Mr. Shinwell

Mr. Speaker, may I ask my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the statement which has just been made by my right hon. Friend the First Lord, he is willing to have a secret Debate on this matter, and whether he will afford facilities for such a Debate?

Mr. Attlee

I will bring that matter before the Prime Minister.

Sir William Davison

Is it not most undesirable that these questions should be put?

Mr. G. Griffiths

How many questions have you put?

Sir W. Davison

Not one contrary to the national interest.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not in the national interest to expose muddle?

Mr. Speaker

The Minister has already made a statement.

Sir W. Davison

Leave it to the Admiralty; it is their duty to protect convoys.