HC Deb 05 January 1894 vol 20 cc921-2
MR. CAYZER (Barrow-in-Furness)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of officers, seamen, engineers, artificers, and stokers required to completely man all the vessels of the British Navy, giving the number of each class; and if he will state the number of men now on the books of the Admiralty who are available for service, including the men belonging to the Naval Reserve, stating the number of men of each class belonging to the Royal Navy and the Naval Reserve, and what steps the Admiralty propose to take to supply the deficiency, if any?

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH,) Lancashire, Clitheroe

In the Memorandum of the First Lord of the Admiralty explanatory of the Navy Estimates, 1893–4, and in my speech on March 7 introducing them, the subject of manning was dealt with. Detailed information as to numbers of men for the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Reserve will be found in the pages relating to Vote A in the Navy Estimates for the current financial year. The officering and manning of the Fleet will be the subject of further announcements when the Estimates which are now being prepared are laid before the House.

MR. CAYZER

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply—I should like to ask whether, having regard to the present and prospective increase of the Fleet, the House is to understand that the Admiralty are taking steps to secure a sufficient number of qualified men of all grades?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

The House will not, I think, be disappointed on that subject when the Navy Estimates are submitted.

COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)

May I ask whether the Admiralty have any idea what number of the Naval Reserve will be available in case of war?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

That is too vague a question to answer across the floor of the Houses.

COMMANDER BETHELL

Perhaps I the right hon. Gentleman will consider it.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

May I ask whether, considering the overcrowded state of our training ships and the probable increase necessary in the number of the men, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the propriety of starling another training ship—say in Ireland?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

The training ships are not overcrowded now, although they were some years ago. We have considered the question of providing an additional training ship, and it is not deemed to be necessary.