§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the facts in regard to Captain Hollweg's false statement in an attempt to justify the German system of mining the seas that it was England which first laid a minefield in the middle of the North Sea, having in view that the statement has been issued broadcast through the German Press Bureau?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAMy hon. and gallant Friend is perfectly correct in characterising as false the statement that it was this country which first laid down a minefield in the middle of the North Sea. It is so notoriously false as to be ludicrous. Germany began a policy of wholesale mining in the North Sea and Atlantic from the day war was declared. Many neutral vessels were sunk, and it was only by the exertions of the British Navy that many more were saved. The mines were laid on important neutral trade routes and far out at sea, and no notice of their existence was given. It was not until the beginning of November, 1914, that the first British minefield was laid. The limits of the danger area were at once announced to the whole world, and every possible precaution was taken to prevent any damage to neutral vessels.