LOSS OF GLORIOUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 November 1940, Page 2

LOSS OF GLORIOUS

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, November 7. Speaking on the motion for the adjournment of the House of Commons Mr. R. R. Stokes (Labour) sought further information about the loss of H.M.S. Glorious near Narvik. Mr. Stokes said that 1200 men went down with the ship, and ’the relatives were entitled to know what happened. The German cruisers must have been absent from their base for several days and he asked whether the Admiralty knew the movement of those ships. As the Grand Fleet was within 800 miles of the scene of the sinking, did the commander of that fleet know the movements of Glorious. Also, were signals sent from Glorious and, if so, what action was taken.

Mr. Stokes also asked whether the operations division of the Admiralty staff was fully informed of the ship’s movements and whether the Air Marshal in command of the Coastal Command, the Vice-Admiral in charge of submarines, and the officer in command of aircraft were informed of the movements of Glorious. In replying the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Alexander, said: “It is impossible to reply to the questions on operations asked by Mr. Stokes. We are fighting against a most unscrupulous enemy who certainly is not prepared to give us the kind of information on operational matters which is sought in this debate. Regarding the Glorious and her two attendant ships, it is true that the survivors numbered only 39, but the German wireless claimed that the enemy picked up hundreds of prisoners. We have the names of only about half a dozen such survivors.”