§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is correct that during the Naval Manœuvres on the 4th of August last when Her Majesty's ships Agincourt, Black Prince, Impérieuse, Conqueror, and Iron Duke were endeavouring to escape from the East Swin into the North Sea they were obliged to be turned round in charge of a pilot, the Admiralty having neglected to supply the commanders with charts; whether the commanders of all classes of ships comprised in the Mobilized Fleets have each been supplied with charts of the coasts and adjacent seas in which they have been ordered to practise naval manœuvres; and, whether any skilled pilots are with the squadrons?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)If the hon. Member will refer to an answer I gave in this House to a Question on the same subject on August 18 last, he will see that the statement referred to in his Question is not correct, and that the necessary charts were supplied. Her Majesty's ships are navigated by their 193 own officers; and except in especially difficult channels or rivers where local experience is necessary pilots are not required. The charts required for the present manœuvres are, in accordance with the usual practice, supplied to each ship.