§ SIR C. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)On behalf of the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Gourley), I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty the number and designs of vessels intended to be engaged in the forthcoming Naval Manœuvres; whether the operations are to be on the old stereotyped lines of Bantry Bay, or such as would be involved in attacking hostile fleets and coasts in the Channel and North Sea, and that of defending the United Kingdom and food supplies; whether the Mediterranean Squadron are to be manœuvred with a similar object and at the same time in the Mediterranean, or in such strategical positions as would be involved in actual war with a European Power; and whether any and what experiments are to be made in coaling the fleets away from their base?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThere will be about 50 ships and 20 torpedo boats employed. The operations will not be on old stereotyped lines, as suggested in the question, but are intended to aid in solving strategical questions which it is undesirable to divulge. The Mediterranean Squadron is exercised in manœuvres suitable to the Station without any relation to those carried out at home. The coaling arrangements are made in accordance with the requirements of squadrons detached from their ordinary bases.