§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty have fully considered the question of the protection of the eastern coast of this country during the time when the Fleet is assembled in the Thames; and whether, instead of having another parade of our ships of war, he will consider the desirability of exercising them in those operations of defence and attack for which they are primarily designed?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, it is proposed to effect both purposes.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill he state how the fighting efficiency of the Fleet will be improved by the visit to the Thames?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not suppose that the fighting efficiency of the Fleet will be improved by this visit to the Thames.
§ Lord BALCARRESAs there are to be a large number of these parades in a few weeks' time, would it not be well to spend the time and the money involved in the proposal in Fleet exercises at sea?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Fleet will just have completed its exercises at sea. It will be most undesirable to prolong indefinitely the exercises.
§ Mr. McKENNAIn response to the invitation most cordially extended to the Fleet by the Lord Mayor.