§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether on the 18th September last a submarine arrived in tow of a tug at Portsmouth Harbour in a sinking condition; that the submarine was slung ready for lifting, but before it was possible to lift her and tow her into the submarine depot she was under water for three nights and three days; whether the salvage plant for submarines in the German Navy could have dealt with the accident in a very much shorter space of time; and whether, in view of the fact that these accidents to submarines generally occur when the officers and crew are on board he will see that our salvage plant is at least equal in efficiency to that of the German Navy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The hon. Gentleman appears to be under a misapprehension. There was no question of an accident, and therefore no necessity for immediate salvage. The boat was obsolete and had been the subject of experiment. As regards the last part of the question, the Admiralty has for some time past given very careful consideration to the problem of the most effective method of salvage.