MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty has he now received the Report, called for by the Admiralty on 11th May, on the alleged waste of ammunition in the Mediterranean Fleet on 29th April last by eight battleships firing away over 7,000 rounds at distances and under conditions depriving the practice of utility as gunnery training for accuracy in marksmanship: what was the range at which the practice was conducted, the time it took, and the number and approximate value of the rounds fired; In what respects did this practice depart from the Admiralty regulation that the attainment of good shooting and proficiency in gunnery are always to be considered as taking precedence over all other duties; by whom was this practice ordered and its conditions prescribed, and by whom has the Report thereon been made: In view of the practice which had been adopted on 14th May last that the reasons of failure in gunnery practice are reported on by the admirals under whose orders the ships are acting, that the Reports are considered by the Admiralty, and such steps taken with 324 regard to the individual officers concerned as in the opinion of the Admiralty are required, will he say whether any, and if so, what steps have been, or will be taken in this case.
§ *THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The Report has been received. The Commander-in-Chief states that the practice on the occasion referred to was carried out with special care; the ranges were those prescribed in the Gunnery Manual—viz., from 600 yards to 1,800 yards; the time occupied was two hours. The firing was by eight battleships from 12-pounders on the turrets, 3-pounders, and aiming rifles. The number of rounds expended for the respective natures of guns was 720, 178, and 9,615, the last named being rifle ammunition only. The total cost of the ammunition expended was £875. The practice was ordered by the Commander-in-Chief, but there are some points of detail as to the conditions prescribed, which are absent from the Report. To make these points quite clear a further reference will be made to the Commander-in-Chief.
In reply to a further question Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER said the firing on the 29th April took place by order of the Commander-in-Chief.