§ 4.42 p.m.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, with the permission of the House I should like to make a statement about the collision which occurred last night between H.M. ships "Battleaxe" and "Ursa" off the Isle of Arran, while the ships were taking part, fully darkened, in an antisubmarine exercise. Both ships were fairly extensively damaged, and I regret that seven ratings aboard the "Battleaxe" were injured, three of them seriously. There were no casualties in the "Ursa". Both ships have returned to Greenock. A Board of Inquiry is being set up to investigate the reasons for the accident. The next-of-kin of the casualties have been informed.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am very much obliged for that statement. I am always anxious, of course, about the Navy. I am sure the relatives will be glad to know that an inquiry is being set up at once. In view of that I think we need ask no questions.