§ 73. Mr. Stokesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will now make arrangements for a full inquiry into circumstances of the sinking of H.M.S. "Glorious," which resulted in the loss of 1,000 lives.
Mr. DugģdaleNo, Sir. A board of inquiry was held at the time to investigate the loss of H.M.S. "Glorious," and it would be neither practical nor profitable to convene a fresh board so long after the event.
§ Mr. StokesIf the Admiralty will not publish the facts, may I ask whether or not it is true that half the proper escort for this vessel was taken away, and that the instructions were so given that neither the Officer Commanding the Home Fleet nor the Officer Commanding Coastal Command was aware of the movement of the ship, in consequence of which it was "knocking about" in the Arctic Ocean with an insufficient escort?
§ Mr. MedlandBefore my hon. Friend answers that question, will he tell us why the escort was taken away and who ordered it to be taken away?
Mr. DugģdaleIn answer to the first question, I did not say I was unwilling to give the information. I said I was unwilling for the board of inquiry to be reconvened. I am willing, if the hon. Member presses for it, to give directions for a report on this incident to be compiled, based upon information obtained at the time, together with any other information which may have become available since.
§ Mr. StokesWill my hon. Friend say why the ship was not under proper escort, and where it was?
Mr. DugģdaleYes, Sir, but it is quite possible for a report based on the facts, such as I have described, to be compiled and published.