§ 25. Mr. Loganasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now inform the House of the result of the inquiry regarding loss of naval ratings at Portland Harbour; and if the Government have yet decided the amount of compensation to be paid to the parents of deceased naval rating Peter Traynor.
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)These ratings entered a tank in which rusting action had taken place causing the absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere, and the cause of death was asphyxiation. Hundreds of these tanks had previously been entered without any untoward results, but the Admiralty are not satisfied that adequate precautions were taken. Compensation will be paid to the relatives, apart from any claim they may have under the War Pensions Regulations, and negotiations will shortly be opened with a view to a settlement on a fair and proper basis.
§ Mr. LoganThen I can take it that, as the case I have cited is considered entitled to compensation, relatives of other ratings are included?
§ Mr. AlexanderI think my answer implies that in the cases of those who lost their lives.