HC Deb 06 August 1919 vol 119 cc343-4
22. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty in what way the cost of the salving of the ex-German Fleet at Scapa is being met; and, in view of the importance of using all available plant for salving merchant steamers, whether he can say how many salvage -vessels are employed in the work and when the operations are likely to be finished?

Mr. LONG

I would point out that no attempt has been made to salve the sunken German ships. The salvage operations have only concerned those vessels which had been beached in shallow water before they had time to sink. The cost, which will not be large, is being met provisionally from Navy Votes, but the ultimate incidence of the charge will be settled between the Allies. Only one salvage vessel, which was lent by the Liverpool Salvage Association, was employed for about two weeks in getting these ships off, and the operations are now practically ended.