§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether any representations have been made by expert naval gunnery officers as to the unreliability of the present system of sighting naval guns; whether any estimate has been arrived at as to the expenditure necessary to make the sighting efficient; and whether it is in contemplation to make good all defects without delay.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The various designs of sights and fittings now afloat are not defective and were considered the best at the different dates they were introduced into the service, but they are not as good as those with which a ship would now be fitted, otherwise it is obvious that no progress in sighting would have been made. The Admiralty frequently receive suggestions from naval officers and others as to improving the sights now afloat and bringing them more up to date, and all these are carefully considered. Estimates are prepared for supplying new sights and fittings to ships as opportunity arises, but it is impossible to give a final estimate of the cost of work which is and always must be continuously in progress.