§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether there is any possibility of the destroyer "Blackwater," recently sunk in the Channel, being salved and brought forward for further service; 2015 and, if not, whether the Admiralty intend to purchase a vessel to replace her, as was done in the cases of the "Tiger" and "Gala" lost last year?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe salvage operations on the "Blackwater" are in hand by Portsmouth Dockyard, but it cannot yet be definitely stated whether the vessel will be successfully salved. Under the circumstances, it would be premature to make any statement on this subject at the present moment.