§ Captain Marsdenasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the intentions of his Department regarding the disposal of submarines captured from the enemy or surrendered by them.
§ Mr. Lipsonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, in view of the shortage of metals, it is proposed to sink a large fleet of U-boats; and will he consider some less wasteful method of disposing of them.
Mr. DugdaleI would refer the hon. and gallant Member and the hon. Member to the passage in the Potsdam Communiqué dealing with disposal of the German Fleet, which ran as follows
The Conference agreed in principle upon arrangements for the use and disposal of the surrendered German fleet and merchant ships. It was decided that the three Governments would appoint experts to work out together detailed plans to give effect to the agreed principles. A further joint statement will be published simultaneously by the three Governments in due course.My right hon. Friend is not, therefore, in a position to make a statement upon this matter in advance of that to be issued simultaneously by the three Governments.