§ MR. BARNES (Glasgow, Blackfriars)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if a Yarrow-Napier motor boat was recently sent out to the Solent without competent engineers on board, and, as a consequence, that a serious mishap took place; and, if so, will steps be taken to prevent similar mishaps arising from similar causes in the future.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON, Dundee)It is not a fact that a serious mishap has occurred on the Yarrow-Napier motor boat. As in the case of submarines, no engineer officer was on board, but a chief engine room artificer was included in the crew. All the ratings in the crew who handle the machinery have been specially trained by a representative of Messrs. Yarrow & Co.