HMS AFFRAY

That this House notes that the submarine HMS Affray sank in April 1951 with the loss of 75 officers and ratings; calls upon the Government to consider re-opening the inquiry into this sad event so that, using the technology and expertise available today, the true cause of the accident can be finally established, addressing in particular the questions of why the Affray was permitted to leave HM Dockyard Portsmouth before her refurbishment programme was fully completed and sail in an unfit condition and of why Parliament was informed in 1951 that relatives of the crew wanted the bodies of their loved ones to remain in the stricken submarine when no relatives had been consulted; and further calls upon the Government to clarify what is to become of the remaining funds raised by public subscriptions through an appeal to assist dependants of the crew once the last dependant has died.