§ MR. GOURLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he will be good enough to inform the House the names of the vessels at present comprising the Mediterranean Squadron; also the nature of the manœuvres and exercises in which the ships, officers, and men have been engaged during the last six months; and, whether the officers and men have been educated and exorcised in the working of torpedoes alike from the shore and the ships?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHSir, it would be misleading if I were to state the names of the vessels composing the Mediterranean Squadron, unless I also entered into a lengthened statement as to the 462 strength and character of those vessels' and under present circumstances it is undesirable that I should do so. I trust, therefore, that the hon. Member will excuse my declining to answer the first part of his Question. In reply to the second part of his Question, I have to state that the Fleet has been maintained in a condition of efficiency by constant exercise; but it would be necessary that I should refer to the Commander-in-Chief before I could state the particulars of that exercise.
§ MR. GOURLEYasked, Whether the right hon. Gentleman could state the whereabouts of the different vessels?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHSir, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has to answer some Questions of which Notice has been given by the noble Lord the Member for Radnor, and perhaps it would be better if the Chancellor of the Exchequer should make his statement.