MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that nearly nine months have now elapsed since the training squadron was put out of commission and laid up on 31st October, 1899, the Admiralty have arrived at any conclusion as to re-commissioning the squadron; if not, can he state the cause of the delay in arriving at a conclusion, and when a decision is likely to be reached; does he, in the meantime, propose to take any measures for providing the Navy with any training squadron whatever; or does he contemplate the advisability of leaving the Navy without any training squadron of any description; has he received reports showing that the captains of the Fleet are generally convinced that the sailing training squadron produces officers with qualities of excellence that cannot be obtained by any other training; if not, will he, before deciding to abolish the training squadron, take measures to ascertain the opinion of the captains, and communicate the general results of his inquiry to the House; and will he, in any case, before deciding to abolish the squadron, give this House an opportunity of discussing the matter.
MR. GOSCHENThe Admiralty have not arrived at a final decision with regard to re-commissioning the masted training squadron. Their crews were turned over to a similar number of modern ships in which their general training is being continued. The sea training of the officers and men of the Navy is now being carried on in the sea-going ships in commission, over 200 in number. I have not received reports showing that the captains of the Fleet are generally convinced that the sailing training squadron produces officers with qualities not to be obtained by any other training; opinion in the service is much divided in this respect. It is open to the hon. Member to discuss the matter in question, should he wish to do so, when the Naval Estimates are before the House. No immediate decision is likely to be come to.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to abolish the squadron before the next Navy Estimates are introduced?
MR. GOSCHENI cannot give any undertaking of that kind, but I think it is highly improbable that a decision will be come to before then.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESThen will the right hon. Gentleman take measures to inform himself of the opinions of the captains, as suggested in the third part of the question?
MR. GOSCHENIt would be most unusual and undesirable for the Board of Admiralty, in forming their decisions, for which they alone are responsible, to refer to the service afloat in the way suggested. Their Lordships would, no doubt, to a great extent be guided by the opinions of experienced officers in the service, but it must remain with the Board—on whose shoulders responsibility rests, and who must necessarily have wider information as to the calls made on the Navy—to decide how far the opinions of those who have not the same information nor responsibilities can be accepted with regard to the requirements of the service.