§ 46. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Prime Minister if he will give the several dates upon which lists of our casualties were issued during the war of 1914–18; and similar details for the present conflict.
§ The Prime MinisterThe information for which my hon. Friend asks in respect of 1914–18 is not readily available and in present circumstances I do not consider that the time taken to obtain it would be justified. As regards the last part of the Question, full returns of casualties to all ranks of the British Empire have been given up to the first three years of war. As my hon. Friend has been informed, the total number of casualties of the Armed Forces of the British Empire for the first four years of war is now being prepared but detailed publication is unlikely before April.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the Prime Minister seriously suggest that it would take a great deal of time to give a list of the dates of the issue of the casualty lists in the last war?
§ The Prime MinisterI suppose that the whole period would have to be searched in order to see when announcements were made. How else could the Question be answered?