HC Deb 11 May 1899 vol 71 cc325-6
COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that there is a system for controlling valves automatically on water-tight doors in vessels, known as the Montgomery More system; whether, in view of the late lamentable loss of life by the wreck of the "Stella," it is the intention of the Admiralty to make further inquiry as to the advisability of such a system being adopted and made compulsory; and, if such a system has already been adopted by a French firm.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover-square

To the first question of the honourable and gallant Gentleman my answer is "Yes," and I should add that the Admiralty have had many such, proposals before them—that is to say, for closing water-tight doors by a single operation from a fixed station. The Admiralty have, of course, only considered such proposals from the point of view of war vessels, for which they have not adopted them. As to whether it would be expedient to adopt the system in the Merchant Service, where the conditions are different, and to make its adoption compulsory, would be a question for the Board of Trade, not for the Admiralty. The Admiralty have no information as to the adoption of the Montgomery More system by French firms.

COLONEL LOCKWOOD

Does the First Lord consider that the examination made into this question is sufficient without further inquiry?

MR. GOSCHEN

Yes, the Admiralty understand the system perfectly. They have thoroughly investigated it.