HC Deb 02 December 1925 vol 188 cc2195-6
10. Mr. ROBERT YOUNG

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of the crew of Submarine Ml were chief engine-room artificers and engine-room artificers; whether they were all men who had volunteered for submarine work; and, if not, how many of them had been appointed to the vessel without being asked to volunteer for such work?

Mr. DAVIDSON

There were four engine-room artificers on board, of whom two were volunteers and two were not.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it the case that the widow of one of these men has been out off and that you are not certain whether he was one of the crew or not? That is the statement in the Press.

Mr. DAVIDSON

I am not aware of such a case.

Mr. EVERARD

Is it not the fact that until quite recently all officers and men in submarines were volunteers, and is the reason why that is not so now because there is not the same difference in the rates of pay as before?

11. Mr. AMMON

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, on the occasion of the naval exercises during which the "Ml" was lost, warnings were sent out by wireless telegraphy to ships in the Channel that exercises were being carried out by submarines?

Mr. DAVIDSON

A caution is issued in Chapter I of all Sailing Directions of the British Isles that "submarine vessels are constantly being exercised off the coasts of the United Kingdom," and in view of this general notice, no special W/T warning that submarines were being exercised was issued on the occasion on which "Ml" was lost.

Mr. AMMON

Does not the hon. Gentleman think it would be to the advantage of His Majesty's Fleet and also the mercantile marine if some method were instituted of sending out such wireless messages?

Mr. DAVIDSON

I will represent that to the First Lord.

Colonel GRETTON

Do foreign vessels get these instructions and directions to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his reply?

Mr. DAVIDSON

I should like to have notice of that question.