§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) pursuant to his answer of 15 November, Official Report, column 345, in which documents, other than the captain's account, the information relating to (a) the time at which the General Belgrano was first sighted, (b) the course of the General Belgrano, (c) the time at which the General Belgrano was attacked, (d) the damage caused to the General Belgrano, (e) the time of signals to and from HMS Northwood and (f) the contents of signals to and from HMS Northwood is contained;
(2) if the information contained in the signals log of HMS Conqueror is contained and available in any other document.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe hon. Member appears not to understand the nature of a signals log.
It consists of a chronological record of all signals traffic to and from the submarine, irrespective of its importance. Some of those signals will be important, others routine and some of a personal nature for crew members. The communications department not only records the receipt and dispatch of classified signals, but keeps a copy of every message. However, its task is to forward all messages to the appropriate person. As I have explained to the hon. Member, it is not necessary to keep this information for more than a limited period and the log itself is regularly destroyed. All operational messages of importance are recorded in Flag Officer Submarines war diary. In addition, the captain's narrative account and report of proceedings gives a full account of the part played by HMS Conqueror in the Falklands campaign. Both these documents are available to my Department.