§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are at present eight training ships and four training brigs stationed in English ports, and not one of either class in an Irish port; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take into consideration the Resolutions lately adopted by the Cork Corporation, the Cork Chamber of 1337 Commerce, and the Queenstown Town Commissioners, urging upon the Admiralty the claim of Queenstown as a suitable station for a training ship, being the headquarters of the Royal Navy in Ireland?
* THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeThere are five training ships in England and one in Scotland. Two of these have another ship attached to them to afford additional room; but in each case the two ships form one establishment. There are six sailing tenders in England and one in Scotland. The lion, and gallant Member has already been informed, in answer to a question on the 1st of June, that there is no present intention of increasing the numbers of boys' training ships, and that, should any need for increase arise, the relative advantages of Cork and other places in the United Kingdom would be considered.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider the present distribution of training ships fair to Ireland?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe question is scarcely one of fairness to Ireland. A great many other questions have to be considered. Foremost among these are the interests of the Navy and the interests of the training of the boys.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of boys from Ireland have to travel to English ports in order to get the training?
§ [The question was not answered.]