§ SIR EDWARD GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he will state the number and class of ships that are to be employed, at this year's Naval manœuvres, and for how many days they are to continue; also, will experiments be made in coaling a portion of the squadrons from colliers at 1497 sea, irrespective of the condition of the weather, and whether it is intended that submarine torpedo boats shall form part of the equipment of some of the ships, seeing that this type of craft is now being largely adopted in connection with other Navies; and whether detachments of the land forces will in any way co-operate with the fleets in practising the landing and embarkation of men, guns, and stores, similar to the combinations which took place in connection with the French Naval manœuvres last year in the Mediterranean.
MR. GOSCHENIt is premature to make any statement about the manœuvres now, but I think I may safely say that I do not think any naval officers would attempt to coal from colliers at sea irrespective of weather.