HL Deb 23 March 1965 vol 264 cc501-2

2.42 p.m.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will now make a statement on the progress of oxy-helium deep diving techniques by the Royal Navy.]

THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, the decision was taken in 1962 to embark on a programme of research into deep diving because it had become increasingly apparent that there was a requirement for Navy divers to be able to operate in deep water for such tasks as the recovery of crashed aircraft and missiles, and, possibly, submarine escape and salvage. Since that time, trials using an oxy-helium atmosphere have been going on almost continuously, both in a compression chamber ashore and at sea, in which naval divers have acted as subjects. So far there have been three main sea trial periods, the results of which have been encouraging, Dives to a depth of 500 feet with a period of ten minutes at that depth have been successfully carried out by ten different men. It is planned to conduct further sea trials later this year, aimed at increasing depths and lengthening bottom times.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that most interesting and informative Answer. In view of the great interest in the progress of deep-diving techniques, not only for the purposes which he has described, by divers in the Royal Navy, but for many other reasons of a widespread nature, could he arrange either for a lecture to be given by a suitable person, on an appropriate occasion, or for a technical paper to be provided in some appropriate journal, amplifying the points that he has made?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I am much in sympathy with the noble Lord's views. There was an article in the Scotsman on March 11, and there are available a number of documents, of which some have been published in the United States. The same point had occurred to me as to the noble Lord, that it would be a good idea if such a lecture or opportunity could be provided; and the possibility even of a visit to the establishment is being considered. But I take note of the noble Lord's observations, because this is one of the most exciting and dramatic of fields, and it may be possible for a man to go down to much greater depths.

LORD WAKEFIELD OF KENDAL

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that further reply, and for the sympathetic interest he is taking in this most important subject.