asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is intended that the removal of the block-ship "Lorne," in Water Sound, Scapa Flow, shall be undertaken; and whether it will be possible to undertake the work in time to allow a passage for fishing craft during the summer fishing?

The Admiralty have not accepted and cannot accept any obligation in this matter, but further consideration will be given to it when the result of the contractual work for the salving of the "Numidian" has been completed. The reply to the last part is, therefore, in the negative.

Why should the one depend upon the other? Are not the two salvages entirely different?

They depend very closely upon each other. As the hon. Gentleman well knows, the work of salving these ships is very difficult in those waters, and until we know that the "Numidian" is going to be a success we cannot promise to undertake the "Lorne."

If the "Numidian" is a success, will the "Lorne" be undertaken?

I have said that it would be considered.