§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHMy Lords, seeing the noble Lord the First Lord of 857 the Admiralty in his place, I wish to ask him a question with respect to the recent torpedo-boat disaster. It is reported in the newspapers that the vessel capsized. I can understand a vessel capsizing under the press of canvas, but it seems to me strange that a torpedo-boat, with no mast or sails, should capsize. I should be glad if the noble Lord could tell us exactly what happened.
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHMy Lords, we have asked for full particulars, and of course an inquiry has been ordered; but no information has yet arrived. As a matter of fact, the torpedo-boat was being towed, and the idea is that probably there was a heavy cross sea on and that she was being towed too fast. But there is no information yet to hand.
§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHDid the boat really capsize?
§ LORD TWEEDMOUTHWe do not know exactly what did happen. That information is being asked for.