§ VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH (Maidstone)On behalf of the hon. Member for the Thirsk Division of Yorkshire, I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men are there in the active service of the Navy; how 911 many of these are in fully-manned seagoing warships; how many in nucleus crews; and whether it may be assumed that the whole of the remainder are in shore and training establishments?
§ MR. MCKENNAThe number of men in the active service of the Navy at the present time is approximately 127,463; of these 69,104 are serving in fully-manned sea-going warships, and 16,659 are in nucleus crew ships. There are 11,650 awaiting draft, on leave, &c. The remainder are under training and in home establishments, except 3,750 in the coastguard.
*CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)Is it the practice for officers and crews to be transferred at very short notice from one ship to another for the sake of practising manœuvres?
§ MR. MCKENNAI do not think it is the general practice, but I will inquire.