§ MR. CAREW (Meath, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that on board the training ships "Chichester" and "Arethusa" Roman Catholic boys are not allowed to practise their religion, though in the case of the "Arethusa" there is a 1445 Roman Catholic church within 200 yards of the landing place; and whether, seeing that these ships, though supported by voluntary contributions, are a free gift from the Admiralty, and are subsidised by that body by grants for boys passed from them into the Navy, and that boys are required to sign a paper countersigned by parent or guardian agreeing to conform whilst on these ships, the Admiralty will see that the conscientious convictions of children and parents are not interfered with.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe Admiralty have no information whatever on this subject. The matter appears to be essentially one for the managers of the training ships, and I would suggest that the proper course for the hon. Member to adopt with regard to any question as to which dissatisfaction exists, is to approach the managers direct.
§ MAJOR JAMESON (Clare, W.)Cannot the hon. Gentleman himself see his way to making a suggestion to the managers on the subject.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIt would be quite outside the province of the Admiralty.
§ MAJOR JAMESONDo the Admiralty take no cognisance whatever of anything done on training ships?
§ [No answer was returned.]