asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) if diesel engine generating plant and batteries were removed from captured German U-boats before these vessels were sunk;

(2) how many diesel engines and generating sets have been salvaged from German U-boats; and how many have been disposed of.

Diesel engine generating plant and batteries were not removed from captured German U-boats before they were sunk. As stated by the First Lord of the Admiralty, in reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetlands (Sir B. Neven-Spence) on 23rd January, 1946, these U-boats were sunk in accordance with our international obligations. This equipment formed an integral part of the U-boats and it would not have been possible to remove it within the time set for carrying out these obligations. Salvage operations would not be possible.

Were no efforts made to change the arrangements when it was becoming apparent that this generating plant would be extremely valuable?

The U-boats had to be sunk within two months of the time of the settlement of the agreement, and the two months included the time necessary for them to be taken to a place where they were to be sunk, and that was over 15 months ago.

Have all the submarines been sunk within the two months, including those allotted to other Powers?

That is quite another question.