§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, if it is always necessary with vessels of the "Burma" class in certain conditions to place ballast in their tanks, the ballast was not specified for to be included in the contract; whether, by letter of the Admiralty dated 23rd April, 1909, Captain A. R. Wonham, at that time a surveyor on the special service list of the Salvage Association, was appointed to superintend or otherwise undertake duties in connection with the construction of the oil-tank steamer "Burma," with a view to ensuring that the vessel when built would be in all respects convenient and effective for the-purpose intended; whether the vessel was built on commercial lines and whether, when launched, the vessel was in all respects convenient and effective for the purpose intended without the addition of ballast; when Captain Wonham took up his duties, whether the vessel at that time was nearly ready for launching; whether, after Captain Wonham's arrival, fittings for manoeuvring hoses for bow and stern previously fitted were removed and a new method adopted at an extra cost of £336 outside the contract; had such new fittings, other than the nine-inch roller, been previously recommended by Captain Wonham in 1909, and then rejected by the Admiralty; whether a claim from Captain Wonham for remuneration in respect of his services and expenses, pursuant to the letter of the 23rd April, 1909, has been received; and, if so, why the claim has not been settled?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is not always necessary to fit permanent ballast as was decided to be desirable for the "Burma," otherwise such ballast would have been specified to be included in the contract Captain Wonham was not appointed to superintend the construction of the "Burma," his duties on the Clyde corresponding with those of other officers on the staff of the Admiral Superintendent. The vessel was built on commercial lines. The addition of ballast was approved for the purpose of making the vessel more convenient for her intended service than she would otherwise have been. The vessel was nearly ready for launching when Captain Wonham took up his duties. The handling of hoses was, and continues to 797W be, a tentative and experimental matter. Improved methods were adopted in the "Burma" as the result of trials carried out with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary "Petroleum" The arrangements proposed by Captain Wonham in 1909 were fully considered, but not approved. They were not identical with those actually fitted. A claim has been received from Captain Wonham and adjusted in accordance with the terms of The Admiralty letter referred to by the Noble Lord. A cheque for the balance due to him, which was forwarded on 22nd November last, has, however, been refused.