§ MR. LEVY (Leicestershire, Loughborough)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state how many accidents have occurred during the last ten years to men in the British Navy engaged in firing salutes; and what steps 742 the Admiralty have taken or intend to take to ensure the observance of regulations on such occasions in future in order to avert such accidents.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) So far as can be ascertained, the recent accident in the "Victory" is the fourth that has occurred to saluting parties in His Majesty's ships during the last ten years. Each of these accidents was made the subject of a court of inquiry, and such additional instructions as were considered necessary by the Board of Admiralty were issued to the Fleet. The regulations already contained in the Gunnery Drill Book are considered to be quite sufficient to ensure safety in the firing of salutes, and the responsibility for the proper observance of these Regulations rests with the gunner in charge of the saluting party. It is not proposed to issue any further instructions in consequence of the accident in the "Victory."