§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state the approximate time H.M.S. "Montagu" went aground, by what time salvage work was started by the salvage company on board H.M.S. "Montagu," and what are the terms of the contract with this company in reference to payments.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON,) DundeeThe "Montagu" went aground at 2.10 a.m. on May 30th. The salvage steamers which were chartered arrived on the night of the 31st, and started work next day. As regards the last part of the Question, it is not usual to publish the terms of current contracts.
§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, after H.M.S. "Montagu" wont aground, a salvage steamer proceeded to her assistance in the fog and was alongside H.M.S. "Montagu" within ten hours after she had gone ashore; whether her assistance was declined, and, if so, for what reason; and whether the damage to H.M.S. "Montagu" was not very much increased by the delay in salvage operations.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONWhen the salvage steamer in question reached Lundy, arrangements for the salvage of the "Montagu" had already been entered into with the Liverpool Salvage Association, who were considered most capable of carrying out this work. As regards the last part of the Question, it is not a fact that the damage to the "Montagu" was increased by the delay.