MR. GIBSON, BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty can he state the names of the members of the Committee of the highest recognised authorities in the country appointed to assist the Board of 577 Admiralty in dealing with the problems of marine engineering; in what respect does the equipment of the Board require strengthening for this purpose; and how will the exercise of its functions by this Committee affect the action and the responsibility of the Engineer-in-Chief.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)The Committee to which my hon. friend refers has not yet been appointed, and no steps will be taken to constitute it until the present Boiler Committee has completed its inquiries. It is believed that it will be an advantage to the Admiralty to obtain the advice of a Committee composed of the highest engineering authorities in the country on such questions as may be referred to it. It is hoped that the Committee will render to the engineering branch of the Navy services similar to those which have been rendered with great advantage by Sir Frederick Bramwell and Sir Benjamin Baker to the Ordnance Branch. The appointment of the Committee will not in any way diminish the responsibility of the Engineer-in-Chief.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, I cannot.