§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcher(by Private Notice): asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what modifications of the procedure obtaining in the case of the "Thetis" trials will be made in the trials of new submarines taking place pending the Report of the "Thetis" inquiry?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. Shakespeare)It has been decided that pending the report of the Public Inquiry into the "Thetis" disaster a naval vessel capable of communicating with the submarine whilst submerged will attend diving trials at sea, and the submarine will tow a type of marker buoy while diving so that her position will be known. Civilian personnel attending diving trials will be given an opportunity, which naval personnel already have, of making a practice escape in a tank using the Davis apparatus. In addition the numbers of men on board during diving trials will be closely scrutinised.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherWithout wishing to turn that answer into a commentary on what has transpired at the "Thetis" inquiry, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he realises that public opinion will be quick to appreciate that lessons arising out of the "Thetis" disaster have already been laid to heart by the Admiralty, and certain obvious conclusions to be drawn from them have been promptly put into effect?
§ Mr. ShakespeareI thank the hon. and gallant Member for his reassuring statement.