§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many officers who have held the command of destroyers for four years or more in the aggregate have qualified every year in navigation and torpedo work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Admiralty have decided that in future all officers applying to be selected for command of torpedo boat destroyers and torpedo boats will be required to pass a practical examination at the navigation, gunnery, and torpedo schools. No arrangements are made for officers while in destroyer service to go through a course of torpedo or navigation. They can, and no doubt some do, go through requalifying courses in torpedo after leaving the destroyers. It would, I fear, take a considerable amount of time to ascertain the actual number.
§ Mr. ASHLEYAm I to understand that there is no Admiralty regulation which obliges these Commanders to go through one of these courses every year?
§ Dr. MACNAMARABefore being selected for the command of a torpedo they have to pass a strict examination, but whilst in command it is not the normal rule for them to go through the course.