§ LORD LAMINGTONMy Lords, I beg to ask a question of the noble Lord opposite, the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, of which I have given him private notice. It is whether he can give any further details of the lamentable fate of the gallant Captain Scott and his companions. I do not suppose that in the annals of human self-sacrifice there was ever anything finer than the passing of Captain Oates into the blizzarrod. We know that their labours have not been in vain, but it will be of particular interest to us to learn whether their records have been found. Also we would like to know whether His Majesty' s Government contemplate doing anything for the families of these heroes.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD EMMOTT)My Lords, His Majesty's Government have no information in regard to this matter, so far as I know, other than what has appeared in the telegrams which have been published in the Press. Unfortunately, there seems no reason to doubt the accuracy of these reports. We have to deplore an appalling and almost unparalleled catastrophe in the history of Antarctic exploration. We can ill afford to lose men so brave and faithful in the discharge of their duties as these men were. But at the moment our sympathy goes out, above all, to the sorrowing relatives of those who have perished, and to the widow of the splendid leader of this gallant band of heroes. In 1014 the profoundly moving letter of Captain Scott it is shown how calmly these men met danger, and with what splendid fortitude they waited the eventual release from their sufferings. There is an additional touch of pathos in the fact that they were so near supplies when the last blizzard came and made further advance impossible. The splendid example which these men have set will be, I am sure, an inspiration to Englishmen for all time. Their last thoughts were for others, and not for themselves. I have no instructions from the Government at the moment in regard to this matter, but, speaking for myself, I feel perfectly certain that the fellow-countrymen of these heroes will in some form or other see to it that their dying wishes are fulfilled.