§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that both the officers and men of the Navy are so often moved from one warship to another that they seldom remain long enough on one ship to get accustomed to each other or their ship; whether he is aware that naval officers consider this system a great disadvantage both to men and officers; and whether, in view of the importance of the matter, he will consider the possibility of making different arrangements.
§ MR. MCKENNAI am not aware that any representation has been made by naval officers that the officers and men are moved so often from one ship to another that they seldom remain long enough in one ship to get accustomed to one another or their ship, and I have no reason to suppose the circumstances to 92 be such as are suggested in the hon. Member's Question.
§ MR. MCKENNAI have no opportunity. I get my information from the expert advisers of the Board who inform me no such representations have been made.
§ MR. MCKENNAIf opportunity serves I will do so, but I cannot undertake to do it.
§ * MR. BELLAIRSinquired whether the right hon. Gentleman would have tabulated lists made of the number of times that ships changed their captains and their crews, and whether he was aware that the "Barfleur" changed her captain six times and her crew five times in the course of twenty-four months.
§ MR. MCKENNAMy hon. friend will not expect me, without express information, necessarily to accept the figures which he has given me. I will inquire into the matter further.