HC Deb 27 June 1951 vol 489 cc1347-8
5. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he now has any further information to give the House about H. M. Submarine "Affray."

Mr. Callaghan

The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, has now convened a Naval Board of Inquiry, which held its first meeting this morning. The work of the Board will be intermittent, but I feel it is advantageous to have it in being whilst the present operations are in hand.

H.M.S. "Reclaim" and her attendant vessels returned to the position of the "Affray" on Monday afternoon. Because of bad weather there has been difficulty in laying moorings. Observation chamber diving took place last night, but has yielded no further information.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Will the Parliamentary Secretary be able to keep the House informed from time to time, even when his Department is rather low down in the list for Questions?

Mr. Callaghan indicated assent.