§ MR. CURRAN (Durham, Jarrow)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that several 1740 of His Majesty's vessels have gone out on trial-trip from the yard of Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie, and Company, Government contractors, inefficiently and undermanned; that H.M.S. Torpedo boat No. 21, with machinery by Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie, and Company, has had a number of unsuccessful trial-trips during the last five months; that the engine-room and boiler-room staff at the trials of this vessel, which uses oil as fuel, was composed of apprentices to the extent of about 75 per cent; and whether he will make representations to the firm in question on the matter.
§ MR. McKENNATwo vessels for which Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie, and Company are the contractors, have made trials, but they were not considered to be inefficiently manned or under-manned. Torpedo-boat No. 21—one of the above two vessels—has made a number of trials during the last five months. These were unsuccessful solely because the contract speed had not been realised. Although the complement of No. 21 Torpedo-boat has throughout these trials been known to be largely composed of apprentices, it is not considered that the failure to attain the contract speed was attributable to any inefficiency in the engine-room staff. No representation to the firm is necessary on this matter, as no condition of their contract with the Admiralty has been infringed.
§ MR. CURRANWill the right hon. Gentleman investigate why the contract speeds were not realised?
§ MR. McKENNAA contract would not be concluded till the contract speed was realised.