LORD STRABOLGIMight I ask the Leader of the House if there is any 988 further statement on behalf of the Government with regard to the sinking of the "Athenia"?
§ 3.9 p.m.
§ EARL STANHOPEMy Lords, there is very little further information that I can give, other than that which appeared in the Press this morning, and which was stated in an answer to a question which was asked of the First Lord in another place. It is impossible to estimate the number of casualties until various ships have landed the survivors in the different ports to which they are heading. Some are making for this country and some are going across to the United States. According to a reliable witness the submarine fired its torpedo and then broke surface, so that there is no question of what was the cause of the sinking of that ship.
LORD STRABOLGII am much obliged to the noble Earl. My noble friend beside me says that there has been a report of gunshots having also been fired. I do not know whether there is any truth in that. Would the noble Earl also make it quite clear, with regard to the allegation of mine-laying in that part of the sea, that in the first place (I believe I am right in saying) it is far too deep in that part of the Atlantic to lay any form of moored mine, and, secondly, that the last people to let loose a floating mine on the trade routes would be the British Admiralty?
§ EARL STANHOPEI am much obliged to the noble Lord for asking the supplementary questions. There certainly is a rumour that a shot was fired, but there is no official confirmation of it, and I understand that the Admiralty is anxious to await the return of the Captain to these shores, so as to be quite certain of the facts before making a definite statement. But there are rumours that the shot was fired by the submarine. As regards the laying of mines, the noble Lord is perfectly correct in his suggestion. Of course that part of the sea is too deep for the laying of a moored mine, and besides, in any case it would be an absurd place to put mines at all. After all, we are anxious in this country to keep our trade going in and out, in the ordinary course of events, without interference, and therefore to place mines in that area would be entirely contrary to 989 the whole policy not only of the Admiralty but of course of the Government itself. For that reason, if for no other, the suggestion that a mine had been laid by this country is obviously ridiculous and absurd.