MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty have the Admiralty given attention to the great variations between the marksmanship records of various ships of the fleet, and to the fact that whereas some ships have scored no hits at all others have scored over 70 per cent. of hits, and that the general average is so low as about half the highest results attained. Are they aware that defective marksmanship is partly due to the inadequate supply of practice ammunition for breech-loading quick-firing guns. Are they aware that it is also in many cases principally due to the inadequate interest taken in gunnery as compared with other matters by admirals, captains, and senior executive officers, the concurrence of all three of whom with the gunnery officer is required in order to afford any ship the requisite facilities for gunnery training. And, will they consider the advisability of making the admiral, the captain, the 214 senior executive officer, and the gunnery officer all personally responsible for success in marksmanship in their respective fleets and ships; and of causing it to be understood that upon the adequate results of the gunnery of the fleet or ship will depend the retention of the admiral and the captain of their respective appointments, and the promotion of the senior executive officer, as well as that of the gunnery officer.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)The firing returns from all ships are carefully scrutinised both at the Admiralty and in the gunnery schools, and the attention of the officers concerned is specially directed to all cases in which the firing has been unsatisfactory The approbation of the Board is expressed when specially good results have been obtained. The supply of practice ammunition has recently been revised, and it is not considered inadequate for the purpose. With regard to the third paragraph of my hon. friend's Question, the Board are of opinion that it conveys a serious imputation upon the officers alluded to, and that the statement contained in it to the effect that such officers are indifferent to one of their principal and most important duties is absolutely incorrect, and involves an unjust reflection upon them. In answer to the fourth paragraph, the Board see no reason for altering the existing regulations, which clearly lay down that the attainment of "good shooting and efficiency in gunnery are always to be considered as taking precedence over all other duties," and that special reports with regard to gunnery efficiency are to be forwarded to the Admiralty for consideration at the time of the half-yearly recommendations of lieutenants for promotion.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESsaid he did not impute indifference to admirals and captains except as compared with other matters—that was to say, paint and brass work.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERYes, Sir, that is exactly the point. Such a 215 suggestion conveys a very serious imputation, for which there is no foundation whatever.