§ Mr. CLANCYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has been made aware of the dangers from submarine attack to the city of Dublin mail steamers plying between Kingstown and Holyhead; and, if so, whether he has taken any, and, if so, what, steps to safeguard those boats from attacks of the kind mentioned?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWe are fully aware of the dangers referred to by my hon. Friend; and as regards the second part of his question, B would refer him to the reply given by me on Monday last to my hon. Friend the Member for the St. Patrick's Division, in which I stated that the subject is one that is constantly engaging the attention of the Admiralty, and that so far as our resources admit, every possible step is taken to provide for the safety of the cross-channel traffic.
§ Mr. CLANCYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the recent sinkings in the Irish 2hannel of Irish cargo boats, with the resulting loss of food cargoes and human lives, have been brought to his notice; and whether, in view of the fact that those sinkings are the result of insufficient protection being afforded against submarine attacks, despite repeated warnings to the Departments concerned, and are equally injurious in their effects on Great Britain and Ireland, he will take such steps as may be necessary for safeguarding the cargo routes between Ireland and Great Britain?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe recent sinkings referred to by my hon. Friend, and their consequences in the loss of lives and of food cargoes, are deeply regretted by the Admiralty. As regards the second 1765W part of the question, I can assure him that every attention is devoted to ensuring the safety of these vessels, and every possible step is taken with this object. This, of course, is equally true with regard to all merchant shipping whilst at sea, and all our available resources are used to the utmost extent.