HC Deb 17 February 1896 vol 37 cc461-3
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, SANDYS (Lancaster, Bootle)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the case that a large number of British seamen quit the Royal Navy at the end of their first period of service on board Her Majesty's ships and transfer their services to the Navy of another Power; whether he is aware that this transfer of service occurs after their seven years' engagement, when the seamen are fully trained and are at their very best for service in the British Navy, and that these men fire lost to the Navy through their dissatisfaction at the terms offered to them for re-engagement at the conclusion of their first period of Naval service; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to offering our trained seamen sufficient inducement to continue their service in the British Navy at least equal to that offered them in the Navy of another Power?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

In reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, I beg to say that there is no evidence before us that any large proportion of the seamen re-engage in any other service after their period of service has expired. The period of service is twelve years, and not seven as stated in the question of the hon. Gentleman. I should add that two-thirds of the seamen re-engage at the expiration of the twelve years, and of the remaining one-third it must be a very small percentage that would engage in any Foreign Navy. But it is possible that special inducements may be held out to highly-trained men to enter a few of them. I will give my special attention to the subject of keeping as many of the men who have been trained in the Navy in the service for as long a period as possible. ["Hear, hear!"]

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty how large a proportion of officers and men respectively of her Majesty's Navy pass any period during their service in the Training Squadron, and how long a period on an average; of how many vessels and with accommodation for how many men the Training Squadron consists; and whether the Admiralty have considered, or will now consider, the advisability of largely increasing the Training Squadron in numbers?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

About 80 junior officers and 1,100 seamen pass through the Training Squadron, in a year. Midshipmen are appointed a short period before they are due to pass in seamanship. Ordinary seamen and boys are embarked for a cruise, the ordinary duration, of which is about four or five months. The Training Squadron consists of four vessels, with accommodation beyond the permanent crew for 295 ordinary seamen and 236 boys and 20 signal ratings. I may add that annual training is at the same time in progress for torpedo-boat destroyers, and there is considerable controversy amongst Naval officers with reference to the amount of time and money which ought to be appropriated to the Training Squadron. I myself still continue to believe that training in seamanship is invaluable to seamen under all circumstances. ["Hear, hear!"]

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

said, the right hon. Gentleman had told him how many officers and how many men, but what he wanted to know was the proportion of officers and men who had any training at all in the Training Squadron.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

I could not give the exact proportion, but the hon. Member is thoroughly familiar with the statistics relating to the Navy, and he must know that if 1,100 men pass through every year, a considerable number must have served in the Squadron.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the usual period during which sub-lieutenants in the Navy serve in the Royal yacht, and whether, at the end of their service on the yacht, whether it be for a long or a short period, they are invariably promoted to the rank of lieutenant over the heads of all other sub-lieutenants, and without any regard being had to their qualifications or to the character of the certificates they have obtained in their examinations; and, how many sub-lieutenants usually receive their promotions in this way during the course of each year?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

Three sub-lieutenants are annually appointed to the Royal Yacht, and if recommended by the captain of the yacht they are promoted at the end of the season, when their services are no longer required. Such promotion does not necessarily place them above sub-lieutenants who have gained time and good service certificates. It is not the case that no attention is given to the qualifications of these officers. Their record is carefully examined before they are promoted. I am glad of this opportunity of saying I hope my hon. Friends will not press upon me the claims of any particular individuals for these appointments, because they ought to be made entirely on Naval grounds.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

The right hon. Gentleman says they are promoted if recommended by the captain of the yacht. I would like to ask him if there is any instance in which the captain has failed to recommend?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

I would remind my hon. Friend that I have only returned to the Admiralty within the last six months, and I have not this information.

MR. E. J. C. MORTON (Devonport)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, what is the reason for the delay in filling the two positions of chief gunner and three positions of chief boatswain promised by the Admiralty nearly a year ago to be created; and, when will appointments be made to these positions?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

The whole question of the numbers, pay, and position of the chief gunners, chief boatswains, and chief carpenters, together with the warrant officers, has been under further consideration. The details have been now finally settled, and steps are being taken to give effect to the decision arrived at. Particulars will be given when I make my statement on the Estimates.