§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say whether the number of accidents to ships and other craft of war during manœuvres is on the increase, and what are the causes alleged; will he state what is the total Admiralty loss in men and money clue to accidents during manœuvres and generally for the past seven years.
§ MR. McKENNAWith regard to the first part of the hon. Member's question, it may be roughly said that the number of accidents to ships during manœuvres is not on the increase, but to obtain the information accurately, a number of facts would have to he investigated and papers examined, which would occupy the Department a very considerable time. With regard to the second part of the Question, it would not be possible to assess the cash value of the total loss to the Admiralty due to such accidents, and the figures with regard to the loss in men owing to accidents generally during the past seven years are not readily available; but I will endeavour to obtain the Return on this last point if the hon. Member wishes to press for it.
§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDYWill the right hon. Gentleman give the information in the form of a Return?
§ MR. McKENNAAs to men I shall be happy to give it, as regards cash it would not be possible.
§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)Is not this particular item asked for in the Return which stands in my name on 1121 the Order Paper and cannot that be granted in that form?
§ MR. McKENNAI cannot give the information as regards the cash value of the accidents. There is no means of assessing the cash damage done to individual ships.
§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Return actually exists at this moment, and has been moved for in several years giving this information?
§ MR. McKENNAI am dealing with the cash value, which is not included in the Return.