§ COLONEL KENYON-SLANEY (Shropshire, Newport)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the artillery authorities are satisfied that the electric light service at our harbour defences is satisfactory for their purposes; 1277 and whether it is under their control; and, if not, whether he would consider the advisability of placing it under the authority which would chiefly use it in the event of action?
MR. POWELL WILLIAMSThe electric light service in each section of a fortress is under the section commander, through the officer in charge of submarine mining defences, who is a Royal Engineer. The fire commander is under a Royal Artillery officer, who is also under the immediate orders of the section commander. The general officers commanding are responsible for the efficiency of their harbour defences; and we have no reason for supposing that they are dissatisfied with the electric light service.