§ 4. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are ten survivors of His Majesty's Ship "Viknor" who were nineteen days in that ship and left her as a prize crew on the 18th January; and whether the Board of Admiralty will reconsider their decision not to have an inquiry into the loss of the ship?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not think that the members of the crew referred to can, strictly speaking, be termed survivors. In any case they are not in a position to throw-any light on the circumstances in which this vessel was lost, not having been on bard her at the time.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDThere is great doubt about the seaworthiness of this ship. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one sub-lieutenant, one signalman, four seamen, and three Marines, a total of nine, only left the ship a short time before, and they are all capable of giving evidence as to the seaworthiness of the ship?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Noble Lord will remember that the First Lord answered a question on this point the other day.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDThere may be a mistake. The question is so serious that I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will reconsider the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot. On the question of seaworthiness I cannot add anything to the reply of the First Lord.