§ 10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that, on 24th March, attempts were made to blow up a schooner at sea for the purpose of making a so-called war film, but that the ship failed to sink and was adrift in the English Channel for some hours, thus forming a danger to navigation; that the destroyer "Salmon" was despatched from Portland to sink her, which she did by firing 10 lyddite shells into the hull; and whether the film company will pay for the cost of the oil fuel and ammunition expended by His Majesty's Ship "Salmon"?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am aware of the facts stated in the question. Although the vessel was drifting after the first attempt was made to blow her up, she was on fire at the time and, as she was sunk before dark, it is not considered that she was a danger to navigation during this interval. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf there is no danger to navigation, why was it that one of His Majesty's ships went to sea to sink her?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIn case she did not sink.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me the amount of money that will be due from the company for the services of this ship?