§ MR. EDWARD MORTON (Devonport)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the steam tanks, sailing hoys, and barges used for delivering provisions to Her Majesty's ships at the Royal William Victualling Yard at Stonehouse have been increased by one steam tank and three barges within the last three years, but that no increase has been made in the number of seamen employed on board these vessels, and that vacancies as they have occurred have not been filled up; whether he is 617 aware that, in consequence of this state of things, mates and seamen are sent from one vessel to another, and labourers are sent from the Yard to fill their places on board; and whether he will undertake to man these vessels with their full complement allowed by the Admiralty?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St, George's, Hanover SquareI was not aware of the facts set out in the Question; but if they are as stated, I do not know that there is anything to object to. These matters, however, must be left to the local authorities to determine, and therefore the Admiralty cannot interfere.