§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the official statement that the work in Woolwich Arsenal would be carried out jointly by naval and military officers, will he state how many naval officers are now employed in the Arsenal, and whether any of them are under notice to leave; if so, how many, and how many naval officers will remain; also, how many inspecting officers there are, and how many are naval men; and, 993 whether, in view of the experience of naval officers in gnus and gun mounting, and their special knowledge of naval requirements, he will consider the advisability of employing as many naval officers as military officers in the Arsenal.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMTwo naval officers were formerly employed in the Arsenal. The posts held by them have been abolished, and a fresh post will be created, which will always be filled by a naval officer. Only three naval officers have qualified for the Inspection Staff, and they are all now employed as inspectors, one of them at Woolwich. It is not easy to find highly qualified naval officers willing to give up the sea service necessary to advancement in order to take an appointment on shore. The Secretary of State and the First Lord of the Admiralty have not failed to confer with reference to the employment of naval officers in the Arsenal.
§ SIR J. COLOMBDoes "naval officers" include officers of the Royal Marine Artillery?
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThere are, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, some officers of the Royal Marine Artillery employed, but the figures I have given I think refer only to officers of the Royal Navy.