4. Mr. Dugdaleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a launch of the Royal Navy was sunk last week.
§ Commander NobleHer Majesty's Motor Launch No. 2582 was taking part in a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation amphibious exercise. Units of all three Services, both of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, were engaged, and were operating under the Commander-in-Chief, Netherlands Home Station. The vessel was lost during a mock attack on her by two aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The accident forms the subject of a board of inquiry, convened by the Dutch Naval authorities, and my right hon. Friend is awaiting further information. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the deep sympathy of the Board of Admiralty 177 to the relatives of those of both countries who lost their lives in this accident.
Mr. DugdaleWhilst joining with the sympathy expressed by the hon. and gallant Gentleman, may I ask whether he will inform us when he is in a position to make a statement on the result of the board of inquiry?
§ Commander NobleI will pass that request on to my right hon. Friend.