§ 5. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he would give the House particulars of the salvage equipment in the possession of the Admiralty for raising submarines; whether that equipment is sufficient to meet all the requirements of the Navy; whether the new salvage lighter, No. 96, capable of lifting a dead load of about 450 tons and expected to be completed in May last, has yet been delivered; what is now the number of salvage lighters, capable of lifting a submarine full of water, in the possession of the Admiralty; and where are these lighters stationed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are six salvage vessels belonging to the Admiralty and stationed at the three Home Ports. They are considered adequate to meet present requirements. The latest of these, No. 96, has been delivered and only some stores are needed to complete her equipment. In addition to these vessels the whole salvage resources of the country are at the disposal of the Admiralty should they be required.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the information which has gained currency in the Press to the effect that submarine B2 is not to be raised, correct or not; and, if it is not, has the lighter No. 96 been engaged in the task of lifting the submarine?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat has nothing to do with the question on the Paper.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEI submit Sir, that I have asked the right hon. Gentleman a question which does arise out of the question which I have put, namely: Whether the lighter No. 96 was the lighter used in endeavouring to raise submarine B2?
Mr. SPEAKERIt is not the duty of Ministers to supplement their answers. If every hon. Member did that, he will see the difficulty I should be in at Question Time. We should never get through questions at all.