§ Mr. AMMON(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make a statement to the House concerning the reported trouble on board His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," which has caused the Admiral's flag to be lowered?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for having put down this question and for having given me such ample notice. The necessity for the disciplinary action taken by the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, against Rear-Admiral Collard, Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel arose as follows:
On Saturday, 10th March, immediately before the Fleet was due to sail for combined exercises with the Atlantic Fleet, Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel, of His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," handed in written statements to Rear-Admiral Collard, who was Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron, with his flag in His Majesty's Ship "Royal Oak," having reference to certain differences that had arisen between the Rear-Admiral and the two officers in question.
The sailing of the Fleet was postponed 15 hours, and a Court of Inquiry, consisting of a Vice-Admiral and two Rear-Admirals, was convened to investigate the matter. On receipt of their report, the Commander-in-Chief proposed to transfer 28 Rear-Admiral Collard's flag to His Majesty's Ship "Resolution"; for reasons wholly creditable to him, the Rear-Admiral preferred to leave at once. The Commander-in-Chief, therefore, directed him to strike his flag and remain at Malta. Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel were relieved of their positions in "Royal Oak" by the Commander-in-Chief's orders, and were directed to return to England.
The Admiralty received the Commander-in-Chief's telegraphic report early on Monday, the 12th, the Fleet sailed a.m. Monday, the 12th, and for the remainder of the week the Commander-in-Chief was handling large forces under conditions approximating to those of war. On Monday, the 12th, the Admiralty requested the Commander-in-Chief to report the nature of the differences in question and the finding of the Court of Inquiry. The reply, which was received p.m. Tuesday, the 13th, stated that it was not possible to telegraph an adequate summary of the questions at issue, or of the finding of the Court, which would not be liable to misinterpretation Thus it will be seen that the Admiralty were not in a position to issue any definite statement until the Commander-in-Chief's written reports had been received and carefully considered. It should be noted that the careers and professional reputations of three senior officers are at stake, and that hasty generalisations might seriously prejudice their case.
Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel arrived in London p.m. on Thursday, the 15th, and requested by letter reinstatement in their positions in "Royal Oak" or, alternatively, trial by courts-martial. The messenger from the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, was unfortunately, delayed en route, and handed in his despatches at the Admiralty p.m. on Friday, the 16th.
A careful examination of the reports of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, and the Court of Inquiry has been made, and the Board concur in the action taken by the Commander-in-Chief, in regard to all three officers.
Rear-Admiral Collard has been relieved by order of the Admiralty, and is returning to England.
Certain issues, important from the point of view of discipline, remain, and 29 the Board of Admiralty have decided, in the interests of the Service, that these matters shall be investigated by courts-martial on the captain and commander respectively. These trials will be convened at Gibraltar as soon as the proper observance of the Regulations will admit, and Captain Dewar and Commander Daniel will proceed to Gibraltar forthwith. It would obviously be impossible to discuss the matter in further detail, pending the decision of the courts-martial to be held at Gibraltar.
§ Mr. AMMONIs it possible to inform the House of what exactly was the nature of this serious trouble? The right hon. Gentleman will see, I think, that it is very important when an Admiral is ordered to strike his flag and a flag officer is suspended.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not think I can, without prejudicing the proceedings at the court-martial.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAll that will have to be fought out at the court-martial, and as the House will agree, I am sure, that our chief desire is that justice should be done and fair play given to these three officers, I hope that they will not press me further.
§ Mr. AMMONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see that the attitude he is adopting is feeding suspicion and false rumour?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not want, at any rate, to be responsible for creating any suspicion, and, therefore, must adhere to what I have said, and take any blame there may be for not giving any further details.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhy should he not?
§ Commander BELLAIRSMay I ask my right hon. Friend one question? Will the public be informed of the terms of reference to the court-martial before the court-martial takes place?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe terms of reference to the court-martial will be, of 30 course, decided by the convening officer, who in this case will be the Commander-in-Chief. I do not know whether the practice is to communicate them direct at once to the Press or not, but I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the officers be allowed to be represented by King's Counsel?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes, if they so wish.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the public, as usual, be admitted to the Court?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes, Sir.