§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the Fir3t Lord of the Admiralty if it is true that some Naval Officers are in the habit of painting and decorating the outside of Her Majesty's ships at their own private expense; and, if so, will he prohibit a practice which may constitute a heavy tax on the poorer Officers.
§ * THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)The establishment of paint material allowed to Her Majesty's ships is sufficient to paint the whole of the outside surfaces three times a year; and, in addition to this, the Commanders-in-Chief are authorised to allow an extra supply when they have satisfied themselves of the necessity for it. I am not prepared to interfere with the discretion of zealous officers in their wish to supplement the allowance at their own expense.
§ COLONEL NOLANWill the noble Lord give a direct answer to the question? He has given a very nice answer, but it has no bearing upon the question. Will the noble Lord kindly answer specifically whether officers do paint?
§ * LORD G. HAMILTONI thought I had answered the question of the hon. Gentleman, and had supplemented it with further information. I believe that certain naval officers are in the habit of supplementing the public funds allowed to them for the purpose of decorating their ships, and those most prone to the practice are unmarried men.