Referring to naval operations, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, reported that at rea activity had been unremitting both in attack and defence.
After paying tribute to the Navy for its efforts, the Prime Minister said: "In carrying out their task, the Navy during this week has sustained severe losses of both officers and_men.
"The House will desire to pay tribute to the memory of all who have given their lives in the defence of their country, whether at sea, on land or in the air."
Referring to action against German submarines, Mr. Chamberlain declared: "Heavy toll has been taken of U-boats since the war began. The failure of this form of attack to inter-fore with our trade may be judged when I inform the House that it is estimated that losses sustained by British shipping entering or leaving our ports during the week ended October 17 represent only about one half of one per cent. of the total number sailing.
"Attacks by enemy aircraft on our fleet bases have begun," the Premier went on. "The extent of the enemy's disappointment at their failure to inflict any serious injury on our ships may be measured by the fantastic nature of the claims they felt obliged to invent."—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.