§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any, and if so what, description of inquiry is to be made as to the cause of the explosion of the charges on board H.M.S. Galatea, when saluting the German Fleet in the Firth of Forth, and which resulted in the death of a gunner and the serious injury of his assistant; what compensation is to be awarded the latter and the relatives of the deceased gunner; and whether the Admiralty intend to take any steps to bring about some sort of International arrangement whereby salutes of etiquette may be abolished, and, in substitution, adopt a custom similar to that current in the Mercantile Marine—namely, of flags and signals?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY(Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeA full inquiry has been held in the usual course, and the Admiralty are satisfied that the cause of the very regrettable accident on H.M.S. Galatea was the defective loading of the cartridge by the Gunnery Instructor, who lost his life. The question of any possible award to his relatives will receive every consideration, and will be dealt with in accordance with the Regulations. The abolition or reduction of saluting would necessitate an International agreement. Much consideration would be needed before any alteration in the present Regulations could be entertained.