§ 17. Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of German submarines regarded as having been sunk from the outbreak of war until 31st December, 1941, or other suitable date?
§ Captain PilkingtonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Widnes on 3rd February.
§ Mr. StokesAs the reply is unsatisfactory, will the Minister state why it is not in the national interest to give us some information on these matters? Is it because his right hon. Friend is afraid of telling the British public, what all America appears to know, that the Germans build submarines three times as fast as we sink them?
§ Captain PilkingtonNo, Sir, the reason for not giving this information is that, if it were given, it would tell the Germans something they would like to know, and therefore it is not in the interests of the country to do so.
§ Mr. StokesIs it not the fact that the Germans must know now what happened up to 31st December last?
§ Captain PilkingtonIt was known, but it would not be in the national interest to tell the Germans that, because they would make certain deductions which would help the Germans and not us.
§ Mr. StokesMy complaint is that the Americans and Germans know but the only people you will not tell are the British public.