§ MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the post of Director of Transports will shortly be vacated by retirement; and, whether the Government, having regard to the recent large increase of expenditure on the Navy and the necessity for practising economy whenever it can be beneficially exercised, will take advantage of the approaching vacancy to abolish the post, which is practically a sinecure.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareIn view of the recent large increase of naval expenditure I would gladly practice economy wherever it can be beneficially exercised, but the post of Director of Transports is by no means a sinecure, very important duties are attached to it, and it cannot be abolished. On the contrary, I shall endeavour to find a first-rate officer to fill it.
§ MR. LEWISasked whether it was not the fact that Lord Charles Beresford, shortly before he left the office, stated that it was a post to which practically no duties were attached?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYsaid he did not know what it might have been at that time, but since then the holder of the office had discharged important duties.