§ 20. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many destroyers have already been sent or are under orders to go to Rosyth; from which ports have they been or will they be drawn; and how many it is intended to leave at Devonport, Portsmouth and Chatham, respectively, exclusive of the two which are manned at each port for emergency purposes?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM24 destroyers have already been sent to Rosyth in connection with the Maintenance Reserve scheme, and a further 11 vessels are under orders to proceed there as soon as necessary refit work on them has been completed; of these 35, 15 were drawn from Devonport, nine from Chatham, eight from Portsmouth and three were formerly based on Port Edgar.
In addition, a further two vessels ("Torbay" and "Toreador") from Portsmouth will probably be sent to Rosyth.
The vessels which will eventually remain at the three southern ports, excluding those actually employed as emergency destroyers, and as tenders to training establishments, are as follow—
Devonport, 3. (This number does not include the three destroyers employed in Irish waters which use Devonport as a base for refit, etc.)
Portsmouth, 3.
Nore, 3.
At the Nore there will also be four destroyers and six or seven flotilla leaders held in maintenance reserve.
26. Mr. W. M. WATSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many reserve destroyers are now stationed at Rosyth dockyard and the number of naval ratings sent to keep them in order; and whether any local men have been engaged for this class of work?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM24 of the 35 destroyers to be placed in Maintenance Reserve at Rosyth have already arrived.
346 naval ratings will be allotted to keep the 35 vessels in order. No civilian workmen will be employed on this duty but six additional local men have been engaged to work the caissons, etc., whilst the destroyers are being received and berthed.
§ Mr. KELLYIs this a departure from the Admiralty practice—that is, the employment of naval ratings on this work as against civilian labour?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMNo, it is not anything of the kind. Generally, it is considered right that sailors should look after ships.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman really mean to say that it is less than seven per ship?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe hon. Member can calculate that as well as I can.