§ 1. Commander Nobleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what equipment for emergency salvage of damaged submarines is available in this country; and where it is normally stationed.
§ The Civil Lord to the Admiralty (Mr. W. J. Edwards)As the answer is necessarily of a detailed nature, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Commander NobleCould the Civil Lord say whether the stationing of this equipment is controlled in any way by trials which might be carried out by particular submarines, especially those which might have a large number of dockyard personnel on board?
§ Mr. EdwardsI could not answer that question fully. The control of these vessels is under the Boom Defence Division of the Admiralty and everything is taken into account as far as salvage is concerned. I should, however, like to let the House know that in order to save life it is not Admiralty policy, and has not been for many years, to lift a submarine.
§ Commander NobleIs this special salvage equipment mobile and is it stationed in a place where it is most likely to be required at any particular moment?
§ Mr. EdwardsIt is in various parts of the country, and can be used as and when required.
Following is the reply:
The following salvage craft are available and in full operational condition: one ocean class salvage vessel at Portsmouth; two coastal class salvage vessels in the Nore Command; one coastal class salvage vessel in the Plymouth Command; one coastal class salvage vessel in the Scottish Command; two dumb lifting craft each capable of 1,200 tons side lift—normally based in the Nore Command.
There are, in addition, disposed in the Home Commands, 11 bar class boom defence vessels, lifting craft, salvage pontoons and pumps, compressors, generators, air-lifts, underwater cutting and welding plant, etc.
Salvage bases are situated at the following ports: Scapa Flow, Rosyth, Sheerness, Dover, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Pembroke Dock, Clyde, Felixstowe, Portland and Aultbea.