§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked how many of the 18 first-class protected cruisers in the Navy are maintained in full commission, excluding such vessels whose crews may have been increased to full complement for the temporary purposes of manœuvres, etc?
§ Mr. McKENNAOne first-class protected cruiser, the "Powerful," is in commission with full crew.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREDoes not the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a most serious state of things—only one out of 18 in full commission?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; the others are perfectly ready and available to go to sea, if required.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREHow long would it take to put them in full commission?
§ Mr. McKENNAThose with nucleus crews probably five or six hours; those with the special reserve may take a couple of days—probably two or three—
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan a vessel in the special reserve be sent to sea without mobilising the reserves?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf we wished, of course.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIs it not a fact that it is laid down in the regulations that the reserve of crews are to be Naval reserve men?
§ Mr. McKENNANo; under the scheme of mobilisation in the event of war these special reserve ships would be manned with a certain proportion of Naval Reserve, and that is under the scheme for the manning of the whole fleet; but it does not follow that if we wished to man these vessels at any time we could not do so.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREIs the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied with the manning of only one?
§ Mr. McKENNAOh, yes! Perfectly satisfied. It has nothing to do with the availability of the ships.