§ MR. YERBURGH () ChesterTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the regulations governing rewards for good shooting in His Majesty' s Navy have been altered in any respect since the introduction of quick firing guns, and, if so, will he say what the alterations are; and will he acquaint the House with the regulations.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) Since the introduction of quick-firing guns the regulations governing rewards for proficiency in gunnery have been altered by the establishment of:—(1) Prizes for light quick-firing and machine guns; (2) Querterly prize firings in addition to the annual prize firings. The regualtions are to the following effect:—Annual Prize Firings—A Sum of money, varying according to the complement of the ship, is allowed for prizes 841 for shooting with heavy guns. A sum of money is also provided for prizes for shooting with light quick-firing and machine guns. Quarterly Prize Firings—A sum of money, varying according to the complement, is allowed for prizes for shooting with heavy and light guns. In every case the distribution of this sum is left absolutely to the discretion of the commanding officer of the ship, who settles the amount of individual shares, and is also empowered to withhold the whole or part of it should the results of the firing have been, in his opinion, unsatisfactory.