MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state what means are taken, and at what intervals of time, for ascertaining that captains of guns and captains of turrets in the Navy retain their efficiency as marksmen; whether captains of guns and captains of turrets are paid 2d. a day extra each, and whether they are all paid alike, or whether any extra pay is given for greater efficiency in marksmanship; whether, considering the cost of each round fired, varying from £12 in the 6-inch quick-firing gun to £164 in the 16.25-inch gun, and the vital importance to the fighting power of the ship of taking every possible means of increasing the average proportion of hits from one in ten to one in three or one in five, consideration will be given to the adoption of some method whereby increased pay may be given to captains of guns and captains of turrets for increased efficiency in marksmanship; and whether, especially, some increase of pay (coupled with increased tests of the maintenance of efficiency) will be given to captains of turrets on whose marksmanship the safety and fighting power of the ship in action so largely depend?
* THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE-WOKTH, Lancashire, Clitberœ)Captains of guns and turrets fire a certain, number of rounds at intervals during each quarter. In addition, every opportunity is taken of practising these men at aiming drills. Their efficiency or otherwise is ascertained from these practices. The extra pay which a captain of turret, a captain of turret gun, and a captain of gun receive in addition to other gunnery or torpedo allowances is specified at pp. 916–7 of the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions (1893), and prizes are given for good shooting. The accuracy of the statements of fact in paragraph 3 of the hon. Member's question is not admitted. The arrangements already in force are considered to sufficiently secure the maintenance of efficiency.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWould the right hon. Gentleman tell me accurately the cost of each shot? Is it accurate to say that it varies from £12 in the 6in. quick-firing gun to £164 in the 16.25in.gun? Does he deny that? I would also ask whether all the men are paid alike, and whether increased pay might not be given for increased efficiency?
* SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHNo, Sir; a difference is not made according to efficiency of the men. I cannot admit the accuracy of the hon. Gentleman's statement as to the cost of each shot. He is not very far wrong, but there would be a great deal more to be said on the subject.