§ 34. Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the contradictory statements made in this country and the United States of America on the progress of anti-U-boat warfare, he will take steps to see that the statements are co-ordinated in the future?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) on 10th February, we keep in touch with the American authorities with regard to policy in relation to statements about anti-U-boat warfare. There are, however, obvious difficulties of a practical nature in the way of complete uniformity from day to day.
§ Mr. StokesIs my right hon. Friend aware that on 25th March the Prime Minister made in the House a reassuring statement on the subject of the sinkings in March, whereas only a few days later Colonel Knox, in America, said that March was much worse than February, and that the position was very serious? How does my right hon. Friend reconcile those two statements?
§ Mr. AlexanderThere was no real difference between the statement of the Prime Minister and that of Colonel Knox.
§ Mr. StokesWell, you do not know the meaning of words.