MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in clearing for action, as periodically practised on Her Majesty's ships, all those things are habitually done which would have to be done on actually going into action, such as removing bulkheads and furniture from cabins with guns in them, disposing of boats and torpedo-boats, and providing and fitting splinter nets, where necessary; whether, in the case of ships carrying torpedo-boats, provision is made to provide a sufficient complement of men for them to be sent away if necessary from the ship during action; whether the signalmen of Her Majesty's ships would in action be posted under cover or would be left to work exposed, and whether they are posted at tactics as they would be or otherwise than they would be in action; and whether the water-tight bulkheads and doors in Her Majesty's 688 ships are in all cases or generally of such strength as would enable them to bear the weight of water in case of a compartment on one side of them becoming filled without the bulkhead being shored up on the other side?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH(1) The captain makes such arrangements as he thinks most desirable. (2) The complements approved are considered sufficient to meet the requirements of the Service in action or otherwise. (3) Signalmen would be posted in the position considered by the captain to be most convenient for carrying out their duties. (4) The water-tight bulkheads and doors are generally made of adequate strength for the purpose described. It is within the discretion of the captain to give additional support by shoring if he considers it desirable.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the light hon. Gentleman for once give us a candid and straightforward answer to the questions I have asked?
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my questions? I press for an answer; I am entitled to one. If the right hon. Gentleman refuses to give an answer let him absolutely, plainly, and straightforwardly say so.
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have nothing to add to the answer I have already given except this—that if the hon. Member wishes to convey any suggestion or instruction to the Board of Admiralty or to the commanders of Her Majesty's Navy on the subject of their duties in the preparation of the fleet for battle we shall receive his suggestions and give them the consideration they deserve.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESThe right hon. Gentleman's insinuation is absolutely unwarranted and unwarrantable.