§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the number of officers and men serving on the cruiser "Essex" on the 1st May, and what is her full complement?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe numbers were 57 per cent. of full complement.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman say why there are only 57 per cent. of 687 men on board this ship, supposed to be in full commission and belonging to the Home Fleet?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot admit that the hon. Gentleman's figures are right as to the full complement of the ship.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWhy are only 57 per cent. of the men on this cruiser, which is supposed to be immediately ready for war?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; the cruiser is not supposed to be immediately ready for war, but the cruiser is supposed to be ready for war as soon as she is filled with men who are now serving on shore, and who will be available to fill up in four or five hours.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEIs not this ship returned among the fully-manned ships?
§ Mr. McKENNANo; she is returned as a nucleus-crew ship, I assume. I have not examined the Report to see.