HC Deb 12 June 1939 vol 348 cc894-5
48. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make concerning the salvage of the"Thetis"?

The Prime Minister

As I informed the House in reply to a question by the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood) on Thursday, 8th June, the salvage of His Majesty's Submarine"Thetis" has been temporarily suspended pending the provision of additional appliances. Since then a conference, which the Controller of the Navy attended, has been held at Liverpool to discuss the methods of salvage and it was decided that as the work might seriously interfere with the other responsibilities of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, the Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association should take control of future operations. Naval assistance, including naval divers, will continue to be available. Salvage operations will recommence as soon as possible, but it may be some two or three weeks before the necessary gear for another attempt has been obtained.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

May I ask whether the"Thetis" had been commissioned for these trials, and, also, in the event of Messrs. Cammell Laird and the underwriters deciding to abandon the salvage of the vessel, will the Admiralty take over the work and raise the vessel?

The Prime Minister

I should like to have notice of those questions.

Mr. Alexander

In view of the delay which it is always possible might happen in the salvage, will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that the public inquiry should be opened forthwith?

The Prime Minister

I shall be making a statement on that later.

Mr. Logan

Are we to understand in regard to this question of hawsers that salvage work of this description was undertaken without apparatus which was absolutely necessary in order to raise such a vessel; and are we still waiting for the requisite hawsers?

The Prime Minister

I am not sure what the position is about that. It is clear that the apparatus which was first used was inadequate for the purpose in view of the conditions which now exist.

Mr. Logan

Is the Prime Minister able to say whether the special firm which has now got the job has the complement of material necessary, or have we to wait another length of time?

The Prime Minister

I could not say.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that public opinion expects this vessel to be raised and would be extremely uneasy if there were any failure to do so, especially in view of the success which attended the raising of the German vessels at Scapa Flow?

The Prime Minister

The Government also expect the vessel to be raised.