§ "That a sum, not exceeding £6,312,800, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the expenses of wages, etc., to officers, sea men and boys, Coast Guard and Royal Marines, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March 1904."
§ MR. KEARLEY thought he wag now entitled to ask for a reply to I he question he had asked.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER said he could, not answer the question before. The hon. Member had asked whether the Admiralty had decided what proportion of non-continuous service men were to go into the ships. The answer was that it was impossible for the present Admiralty to decide a question of that kind. It would be years before there were sufficient numbers to pro-ride for the proportion of stokers and bluejackets recommended by the Committee. It would be impossible for anybody to pledge themselves as to the limit to be arrived at from the discontinuance of the long service.
§ Resolution agreed to.
§ SUPPLY [18TH MARCH]—REPORT.
§ Resolutions reported.