§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, if they are aware that it was announced by the British Broadcasting Corporation in their news bulletin that on the night following the escape of the "Scharnhorst," "Gheisenau" and "Prinz Eugen" from Brest, and when they were approaching Wilhelmshaven, or other German port in the Heligoland Bight, attacks were made by British bombing aircraft on the inland towns of Cologne and Aachen; if this statement in the news bulletin was true; if so, whether there were technical reasons against changing the target for the German 487 North Sea naval ports; and whether this matter was inquired into by the Committee under Mr. Justice Bucknill's chairmanship.]
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, the "Scharnhorst," "Gneisenau" and "Prinz Eugen" passed through the Channel on the day of February 12. No attack was made on Cologne and Aachen during the night February 12–13, nor did the B.B.C. news bulletins on the 13th announce that an attack had taken place. These towns were attacked on the night February 13–14, and this was announced by the B.B.C. on February 14. The rest 488 of the noble Lord's question does not therefore arise.