HC Deb 02 November 1949 vol 469 cc386-7
37. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the strong desire in France for the return to that country of the "Implacable," as the only ship in the world having lasted 160 years; and if he will reconsider his decision in order to meet this desire.

Mr. W. Edwards

Before the decision to sink this vessel was reached, it had been ascertained that no other proposal, involving the towage of the hulk elsewhere, would be practicable, owing to the grave risk of its foundering in circumstances which would make it a danger to navigation.

During the past twelve months there have been many suggestions from France for taking over the hulk, none of which was pursued when the physical difficulties were explained. The Admiralty is at present in correspondence with the French Naval Attaché in London about French representation at the sinking of the vessel, and the offer of a commemorative relic to the French Government.

I would like to take this opportunity of announcing that although it was originally intended to carry out the sinking off the Channel Islands, we have found that the state of the ship renders this impossible. She will be sunk as near to Portsmouth as practicable.

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