§ MR. MENZIES (Lanarkshire, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the experience gained during recent years by his naval advisers in regard to night manœuvrings without lights will have a tendency to diminish or increase this practice; or whether the country is to look upon this as a normal method of training for naval officers and men, and should not therefore look for its cessation.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe experience gained by the Board of Admiralty from this practice during recent years has been too valuable to admit of its being abandoned. For some time past the Board have had under close consideration the question of devising rules calculated to reduce risks.
§ MR. MENZIESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of men who have lost their lives or been injured, as well as the cost to the country of the ships sunk or disabled, during 1907 and this year, which 230 can be attributed solely to mimic night warfare without lights.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe information desired by my hon. friend will take a little time to ascertain, and I propose, if he will permit me, to circulate the Answer with the printed papers as soon as it is ready.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)Will the right hon. Gentleman include in the statement the number of occasions on which night manœuvres have taken place, in order that the House may see the percentage of accidents.
§ MR.MCKENNAI will do my best.
§ EARL WINTERTON (Sussex Horham)And the number of ships that have taken part in them?
§ MR. MCKENNAYes.