§ SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the numbers of supernumerary seamen and marines on naval stations abroad is fixed by any standard, percentage or otherwise, in relation to the 298 total personnel on such stations; what is the approximate number of supernumerary seamen and marines respectively on the China station; and whether the numbers of supernumerary seamen and marines respectively on that station have been increased within the last six months, and, if so, to what extent?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYThe number of supernumerary seamen and marines on naval stations abroad is not fixed by any standard or percentage in relation to the total personnel, but depends on the requirements of the various stations, and on the accommodation of the vessels composing the squadrons. The number of supernumeraries shown as disposable by a Return just received is as follows: 129 seaman ratings and 21 marine ratings; in addition, 73 seaman ratings were sent recently in H.M.S. Blenheim as supernumeraries for disposal on station.