§ 38. Mr. McEnteeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the salvage operations for raising the late German fleet at Scapa Flow are to be continued; how long these operations have been in progress; what ships or property have been recovered; what is the estimated value of such ships and property; and what is the estimated cost of the salvage operations to date?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe salvage operations on the German ships at Scapa Flow have been in progress since 1923. The vessels in question were sold outright to various firms, who have conducted salvage operations at their own risk and expense. I have no information as to the value of the ships raised, or the cost of the salvage operations carried out, nor whether further attempts at salvage are intended.
§ Mr. McEnteeIf this is done at the expense of the contractor, what happens to the ships when they are brought up?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThat is not our business, but I presume he sells them for scrap.
§ Mr. ThorneDo I understand that these ships belong to the people who have raised them, and not to the Government?
§ Mr. ShakespeareWe sold them outright.
§ Mr. MacquistenCould not these people raise the "Thetis" without the slightest difficulty, seeing that they have raised these battleships without accident of any kind?
§ Mr. McEnteeCan the hon. Gentleman say for what price they were actually sold?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThey were sold, I think, for about £24,000 at the end of the War.