§ Mr. Hewlettasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when sailors are carrying out naval exercises in rough weather, any attempt is made to provide them with lifebelts?
Mr. AlexanderYes, Sir. All seagoing naval personnel are supplied with a personal issue of an inflatable lifebelt. Except under tropical conditions, when some relaxation may be permitted at the discretion of the commanding officer to the extent of lifebelts being kept handy, Admiralty instructions are that these life-belts shall always be worn at sea. In addition to the above, all H.M. Ships are supplied with cork filled life jackets for use by personnel in boats in rough weather and in other circumstances where their use is an obvious seamanlike precaution.