§ 4.6 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government a Question of which I have given them private notice—namely, whether they have any further statement to make on the disaster to His Majesty's submarine, "Affray."
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH)My Lords, I regret to inform the House that although fullscale air and sea searches have continued during the past twenty-four hours, including search sweeping on the sea bed, the Submarine "Affray" has not yet been found, and hopes that any lives will now be saved are dwindling. The search is continuing. I should like to repeat what I said yesterday as to my deep sympathy with those people who are suffering such anxiety at the present time.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I am grateful to the Government for keeping the House in touch with the latest developments in regard to this submarine. I only wish that they had something more definite to announce. In the meantime, on behalf of all those who sit on these Benches I should like to join with the noble Viscount who has just spoken in tendering our deep sympathy to the relatives and friends of the crew in their cruel anxiety.
LORD REAMy Lords, it is hardly necessary for me to add that we on these Benches wholeheartedly associate ourselves with what the noble Marquess has just said. We await further news with great anxiety and great hope.