§ 34. Mr. Loganasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been 1741 directed to the inquest held last week on four naval ratings at Portland; was there a test made before they entered the tanks; why were there no respirators issued to these men; and is it the intention of his Department to compensate the parents of Ordinary Seaman Peter Trainor, aged 20, of 70, Flinders Street, Liverpool, for the loss of their son.
Mr. AlexanderAn inquiry into this regrettable accident has been held by the naval authorities, but the report has not yet reached the Admiralty. I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have fuller information. Any claims for pensions in respect of these casualties will fall to be considered in the normal way by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions under the Naval War Pensions Regulations. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my sympathy with the relatives of the deceased ratings.
§ Mr. LoganAlthough I am not directly concerned with the other ratings involved, I have great sympathy with their relatives. I want to know particularly however about the expenses of the funeral and the arrangements for the family of Peter Trainor, whose death was due to an accident, not brought about by the lad himself but by the neglect of someone else.
Mr. AlexanderI would like to await the examination of the report of the board of inquiry, but I shall be very glad to discuss details with my hon. Friend, to see if it is possible to arrange anything. I would not like to commit myself to a public statement, until I have seen the details.
§ Mr. LoganIf I put down another Question next week, will the First Lord be able to give me an answer?
§ Mr. Walter EdwardsIf the facts are as stated in the Question, it seems that the boy's death was caused through negligence; and if such is the case, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Admiralty pay compensation, and do not leave it to the Ministry of Pensions, otherwise the father of the lad will be subject to a means test to see whether he is to receive a pension or not?
Mr. AlexanderI am sure that my hon. Friend will allow me to examine the report of the board of inquiry when it comes up after previous examination by the experts. I would not like to make any statement at the moment.