§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the claim by the merchant vessels "Thordis" and "Alston" that they have sunk enemy submarines, and to the claim of the steam trawler "Alexander Hastie" of having performed a similar service; and whether the reward of £500 offered by the newspaper "Syren and Shipping," for the first sinking by merchant ships of enemy submarines, and other similar rewards offered, can be adjudicated by the Admiralty amongst these rival claimants to have been the first to sink an enemy submarine, by 1420W examination in dry dock by Admiralty officials, as in the case of the "Thordis," examined by Admiral Sir George Egerton?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe attention of the Admiralty has been drawn to the three cases mentioned. The case of the "Thordis" has already been considered, and the opinion of the Admiralty has been made known. In the case of the other two vessels, inquiries are being made, but it is not possible to say whether any definite conclusion can be come to. The adjudication of private awards is not a matter which the Admiralty can officially undertake.