§ MR. T. B. BOLITHO (Cornwall, St. Ives)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether the attention of his Department has been called to the desirability of supplementing the closing of watertight doors in Her Majesty's ships by automatic appliances; and, if not, whether he will cause an independent Inquiry and Report to be made on the subject?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes; the attention of the Admiralty has been frequently called to the adoption of automatic appliances for closing watertight doors, and no independent Inquiry is considered necessary. Stringent orders are in force as to the closing of 257 watertight doors and automatic valves for closing apertures in watertight bulkheads and decks.
§ MR. BOLITHOasked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the appliance which had been submitted to and refused by the Admiralty was now being tried in the American Navy?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINsaid that personally he was not aware of that fact.