3.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the British mercantile tonnage lost through marine risk and enemy action for the months of January, February, and March, 1918, and the tonnage of British mercantile ships completed during the same period, together with the total net loss or gain?
The tonnage of British merchant ships completed during the first three months of 1918 was as follows:
| January | … | … | 58,568 gross tons |
| February | … | … | 100,038 gross tons |
| March | … | … | 161,674 gross tons |
As regards losses, the whole question of publication has been the subject of careful discussion with us, and proposals are now before the War Cabinet upon the matter.
Will it give information to the enemy to publish losses by submarine, lumping them together, for the first three months of the year?
That is the whole question which is being discussed by the War Cabinet. I have no doubt, if they find it necessary, it will be done.
What is the view of the Admiralty upon the subject?
I have already said we have given it consideration, and have made certain proposals.