MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the captains of His Majesty's ships are required by Articl 828 of the King's Regulations when at sea, as well in time of peace as of war, every evening before dark, to cause the quarters to be cleared and every other arrangement made for night battle, and are further required by Article 829, when at anchor in a harbour or roadstead, to be constantly prepared to repel any attempts of an enemy to board the ship, he will state what steps are, in practice, taken to carry out these regulations.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The actual terms of these articles, which are of very old standing and not exactly suited to modern conditions, are not strictly complied with. But officers in command are responsible that their ships 24 should at all times be ready to meet any contingency, and it rests with them to take whatever steps are required to act up to the spirit of the articles.