§ * SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Returns are furnished by the Admirals commanding the Channel and Mediterranean Fleets showing the time spent in harbour, the time spent at sea, the duration and nature of evolutions 1049 practised at sea, the state of the weather prevailing during such evolutions, and all such information as may be necessary to enable the Admiralty to record and judge the nature and extent of opportunities given for the sea-training of officers and men of these fleets; and, if so, are such Returns furnished quarterly or half-yearly.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThe Returns and reports furnished by Admirals in command of squadrons, together with the programmes of their proposed movements which are submitted for approval, are such as to enable the Admiralty to judge of the nature and extent of the cruises taken by them, and of the opportunities for sea-training to the officers and men afforded by them. Some of these Returns are quarterly, but reports of proceedings are received at shorter intervals.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)May I ask whether it is not a fact that the time spent at sea has been singularly short in the last two years?
§ MR. GOSCHENNo, Sir.