HC Deb 06 November 1940 vol 365 c1329
37 Mr. Adamson

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) the composition of the Life Saving at Sea Committee, which is responsible for advising his Department on life-saving appliances; the general qualifications of its members for this duty; and whether it is a Departmental or representative committee;

(2) whether any consultations have taken place between the Life Saving at Sea Committee of his Department and the Ministry of Shipping with reference to approved types of automatic raft lights, so that additional safety at sea may be assured for the personnel of the Navy, especially during the long nights in winter months;

(3) The number of meetings held by the Life Saving at Sea Committee within the last three months; and whether he can take steps to facilitate their decisions on matters submitted to them for decision?

Mr. Alexander

The Life Saving at Sea Committee was a Departmental body appointed by the Board of Admiralty at the end of last year, under the chairmanship of a flag officer of wide experience. The four other members were representative of the technical departments chiefly concerned. The secretary was an engineer captain. The Committee consulted the Ministry of Shipping on the subject of raft lights. My hon. Friend will appreciate that there must be considerable differences in function and design between life-saving appliances for men of war and for merchant vessels. However, the fullest advantage was taken of the experience and resources of the Ministry of Shipping and of commercial firms. Some time was taken to approve designs for the Naval Service because of the desire to ensure that the Navy's special requirements were met, and that the technical difficulties inherent in such devices should he eliminated before production was started. Orders were placed at the beginning of August. The Committee completed its inquiries and was dissolved in the middle of September this year after making many recommendations. Most of these have now been put into effect. In order to save time, the Committee's business was conducted chiefly between the Chairman and the technical members mainly concerned. Few full meetings of the Committee were, therefore, necessary.