asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision regarding the publication of casualty figures in view of the fact that losses of ships of the Royal Navy have already been revealed and that the United States Navy have published their casualty figures?

No, Sir.

Why should the publication of our casualty figures help the enemy, whereas the publication of the American casualty figures does not?

The publication of these figures would enable the enemy to draw a more accurate picture of our manpower position, and it is not strictly accurate to say that the Americans have given the figures referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.