asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when he expects to be in a position to make a further statement to the House regarding the loss of His Majesty's ship "Royal Oak"?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can, consistently with the public interest, state the result of the inquiry instituted into the sinking of the "Royal Oak"?

The inquiry into the causes of the loss of His Majesty's ship "Royal Oak" is now taking place as speedily as possible, but I cannot say when I shall be in a position to make a further statement as a result of the inquiry. I hope next week.

Will my right hon. Friend make another statement as to the result?

Yes, Sir; I will make another statement, but I shall have to be very careful not to disclose information which might be useful to other parties.

While safeguarding the public interest, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very grave apprehension there is in the public mind regarding this matter?

Yes, Sir, I will certainly bear that in mind.

Is the committee of inquiry taking into consideration the fact that so large a number of men were drowned in harbour?

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been called to the statement made by the German U-boat commander himself that he waited for two days outside the harbour watching the tracks of vessels before he decided to go in?

Yes, Sir, I have seen a number of statements made by the German U-boat commander. In part they are a repetition of information which I have given to the House, and in part they have no relation to the facts.

Is attention being given to the fact that these men were drowned in harbour?

Yes, Sir, but in relation to Scapa Flow, "harbour" is not quite the right term, because it is a great landlocked bay many miles across. This ship was several miles from any other vessel.