§ 16. Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will arrange for the grant of a general service certificate or torpedo badge to the men of the dockyard volunteers salvage party who worked in the danger zone or were torpedoed during hostilities, seeing that some parties were torpedoed and shot at, had no lines of defence, and were left without lifeboats, which had been previously taken by the crews of the vessels torpedoed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not contemplated to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion, but the matter shall be considered again in conjunction with the Board of Trade, and though I can give no undertaking, I will communicate with my hon. Friend as to when he may, if he wishes, put down another question.
§ 20. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked whether any reward has been granted in respect of the salvage of any of the privately- owned ss. "Woodfield," "Sanuki Maru," "Devonia," and "O. B. Jennings"; and, if so, why the dockyard salvage party has received no award?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIn regard to the "Woodfield," the services, I am advised, did not amount to salvage, and therefore no salvage award was received. In regard to the "Sanuki Maru" and "Devonia," claims are being made, but the cases are not yet settled. In regard to the "O.B. Jennings," this vessel was damaged in collision with a ship on which His Majesty's Government bore the risk. The question of a salvage claim is dependent on the decision as to liability for the collision, a matter now before the Courts. Until this is determined, no further steps can be taken.
§ 21. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked whether the Admiralty has received the salvage award for the privately-owned Royal Mail steamship "Mahopac"; and, if so, what steps are being taken to have the money 1192 distributed amongst the parties entitled thereto, including the dockyard salvage party?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAn award has been received for this service, and steps are being taken to apportion the amount between the parties concerned.