§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAY () Devonshire, HonitonTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can arrange, by way of compassionate allowance or otherwise, to give some compensation to the fishermen of Sidmouth for the loss sustained by reason of damage occasioned by the Royal Naval Torpedo Flotilla to their nets in Sidmouth Bay on the night of 9th July.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) As it appears that the damage done was not the result of any negligence on the part of the officers of the flotilla, whilst the fishing boats, on the other hand, were not complying with the Board of Trade regulations as regards lights prescribed for drift net-fishing, the Admiralty are advised that they are not liable for any compensation in this case.