asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any explanation has been given by the United Kingdom Government as to the reason for the delay of ten days in accepting responsibility for the sinking by one of their submarines of the trawler Sharelga.
Written Answers. - Trawler Sinking.
536.
The British authorities have stated in reply to our request for an explanation of the delay that the captain of the submarine in question had been unaware that his vessel had been involved. They have further explained that it was only as the investigation by our authorities continued that there were indications that a British vessel might have been involved, and it was necessary to have a full investigation before they could inform us with certainty that one of their submarines had caused the sinking. According to the British authorities these circumstances also accounted for the fact that no effort had been made at the time to ensure the safety of the crew of the Sharelga.