VISCOUNT TEMPLETOWNMy Lords I rise to ask His Majesty's Government whether it is true that the Naval escort was withdrawn from the "Apapa." lately torpedoed, when in or near the critical zone of her port of arrival.
THE ADDITIONAL PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY (THE EARL OF LYTTON)My Lords, the answer to the noble Viscount's Question is in the negative The circumstances in which the "Apapa" was lost are not those described in the Question. I cannot tell your Lordships what the circumstances were, because it is not desirable to make public the arrangements which are made by the Admiralty for the protection of ships; but, if the noble Viscount so desires. I shall be happy to furnish him confidentially with the facts of the, case.
VISCOUNT TEMPLETOWNI should like to say that I was faced with the same difficulty as the noble Earl, which prevented my putting the Question in a more definite form. I shall, however, be glad also to give him any information I have confidentially.