§ 8. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information respecting the accident to submarine E 5 off the Welsh Coast; whether the man killed was married; and, if so, what pension will be awarded his wife and children (if any), and when will these pensions be given?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe cause of the accident has not yet been definitely determined, but it is known that an explosion took place in the crank chamber of the starboard engine, the released burning gases passing forward in the boat and injuring a large number of the crew. The floor plating and portions of the crank chamber were violently displaced, causing serious injury to officers and men in the vicinity. The submarine is undamaged in the hull, and could proceed to sea at once under her own motive power. The widow is eligible for a Greenwich Hospital Pension of 9s. per week, with an allowance of 2s. per week for each of her children (if any) from the date of Greenall's death. She has been asked to furnish information as to her circumstances, and as soon as she supplies it the pension will be awarded. I may add that since I came into the House I have received with great regret the following telegram 1598 from the Captain-Superintendent of Pembroke Dock:[...] "I greatly regret to report the death of Engineer-Commander Walter Moore, following on a severe operation after injury in the explosion on Submarine E 5."
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKECould not the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of awarding the widow and children some higher pension than the ordinary pension?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am debarred by the scale which the House has approved in former times.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of altering the scale?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is a general question which does not arise on the particular case.
§ Mr. C. DUNCANWhat method is taken to exhaust the explosive gases in the vessel?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI could not go into the details of submarine construction, but every conceivable measure to prevent accidents is taken by the officers and men on board these vessels. They know that their lives depend upon the care with which dangerous instruments are handled, and there is a committee of officers of the submarine service, that is to say, of those who go down in submarines constantly, which sits to assist the First Sea Lord at the Admiralty in all matters connected with the design and construction of submarines in order that the views of those who have to serve in the vessels should constantly be brought before the designing branch.