§ 14. Mr. THURTLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to a recent fatal accident at the Royal Naval training establishment at Shotley, when a boy was killed in attempting to climb the great mast for training purposes; and whether he considers it necessary to retain mast climbing as an essential part of naval training?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The circumstances of the accident were of an exceptional character, and I am considering whether any precautions beyond the very complete system now existing are necessary.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWould the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that necessary training aloft is not cut down for seamen in the Navy, and is he aware that there is far too much infantry drill already for them?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThis particular accident was rather a peculiar one. I want to make sure whether or not some further precautions can be taken to avoid such an accident in the future. I am not dealing with the general question until I have investigated the causes of this accident.