MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Government intends to send a training ship to Cork Harbour, as it was formerly used as a suitable place, and would be beneficial to a number of boys and the neighbourhood generally?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Admiralty will accede to the requests made to them by the Corporation of the City of Belfast, the Harbour Commissioners of Belfast, and the Chamber of Commerce of Belfast, to place a training ship for the Royal Navy in Belfast Lough; and whether, in view of the fact that Belfast is by far the largest port in Ireland, that a suitable berth for a training ship has been offered by the Harbour Commissioners, and that a ship in Belfast Lough will conveniently serve both Irish and Scottish candidates for the Navy, their Lordships will give a favourable consideration to the request made, in the event of their not having; already decided to accede to it?
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I have to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a strong public feeling exists in the South of Ireland in 1755 favour of the establishment of a training ship in Cork Harbour; is he also aware that a large number of lads annually join the Navy from the South and West of Ireland, even though compelled to make their way to English ports for that purpose; and whether, under these circumstances, and also in view of the fact that Queenstown is the headquarters of the Royal Navy in Ireland, the Admiralty will consider the advisability, in the interest of the Service, of complying with the desire which has been so unanimously expressed on this subject?
§ MR. FLYNNAt the same time, I will ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by the Cork Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping in favour of establishing a training ship in Cork Harbour; and what action the Naval Authorities intend to take in the matter?
*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThere is no present intention of increasing the numbers of boys' training ships. Should any need for increase arise, the relative advantages of Cork, Belfast, and other places in the United Kingdom as stations for training ships will be considered.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no training ships in the whole of Ireland, although both England and Scotland possess some?
*SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThat is so; but, as I have already stated, should there be any occasion for an increase in the number of boys' training ships, the claims of suitable stations in Ireland will be considered.
§ MR. FLYNNAnd will the Admiralty take into consideration questions of economy in selecting the site?
§ [No answer was given.]