MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state what the qualification is respectively for a seaman gunner, for a captain of a gun, and for a captain of a turret, and what pay is attached to each of these ratings; whether any steps are taken to ensure that men who have once qualified for these ratings retain their efficiency; whether they are put through any kind of daily aiming practice, and a record kept of the results; and, if not, what tests of efficiency are applied to them, and at what intervals; whether the Admiralty will consider the desirability of increasing the efficiency of men of these ratings, as marksmen, by increased practice, either of aiming, or of practice with Morris tubes, or both, accompanied by a system of increased pay according to the results attained; and whether, having regard to the very great importance, as regards the fighting power of the ship, of the duties devolving on a captain of a turret, the Admiralty will reconsider, with a view to its increase, either in the manner suggested or otherwise, the pay attached to that rating?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe information asked for in the first paragraph is given at pages 916 and 917 of the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. The reply to paragraph 2 is in the affirmative. Men are frequently exercised at aiming practice, which sufficiently tests their efficiency. A record of results obtained at target practice is kept. The various target practices prescribed by the Regulations, both from guns and Morris gun tubes, are carried out continuously throughout the year; and it is not practicable to add to them without interfering with other important duties. It is not intended to establish a system of increased pay by results, nor to make any increase in the additional pay already given to men holding the rating of "captain of a turret."
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs it a fact that every shot fired by a captain of a turret is worth £164, and yet he only gets 3d. per day?