§ 49. Miss Rathboneasked the Prime Minister what are the estimated allied casualties in the Japanese war between the period when Japan signified her first qualified acceptance of the peace terms on 11th August and her final capitulation on 14th August.
§ The Prime MinisterProvisional estimates suggest that the United Kingdom forces may have suffered about 40 casualties in the four days 11th to 14th August, 1945. No figures for Commonwealth and Empire and Allied Forces are available.
§ Miss RathboneWere not these casualties perfectly unnecessary, and should not a reasonable interval have been allowed for the Japanese to make up their minds before inflicting any casualties on us or the colossal casualties caused by the dropping of the second atomic bomb?
§ The Prime MinisterThat seems to be a matter of opinion in one case and a different matter altogether in the other.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteWere not the casualties largely the result of dive-bombing attacks on His Majesty's ships?
§ The Prime MinisterI have no information on details, but my hon. Friend knows that in the interval between the first offer of peace and final peace it is extremely difficult to prevent casualties in certain areas.