§ Mr. YERBURGHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, considering that by the last Battle Practice (Navy) Return H.M.S. "Commonwealth" scored only 86.3 points as against 247.2 scored by H.M.S. "Dominion," a vessel of similar class, and H.M.S. "Mars" and H.M.S. "Magnificent" only 13.39 points respectively as against 267.85 scored by H.M.S. "Majestic," a vessel of similar class, and that the average points scored per ship in the second and third divisions of the Home Fleet, to which the above ships belong, was in the former case 177.76 and in the latter case 187.5, it is intended to take steps to insure an improvement in this matter of gunnery?
§ Mr. McKENNAAll possible steps will be taken to improve the gunnery of the Fleet.
§ Mr. YERBURGHMay I ask whether there were nucleus crews on board those ships?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir.
§ Mr. YERBURGHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the nucleus-crew ships gunnery and torpedo officers are employed in watch-keeping work to the detriment of their specialist work in instructing men, and that men sent on board are employed in cleaning ship while they should be undergoing their special courses; further, if he is aware that the standard of efficiency set up in these ships is practically that of fully commissioned ships; and whether he will give assurance that the complements shall be increased to enable that standard to be maintained without unduly taxing, the officers?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe distribution of work of officers and men in nucleus-crew ships is a matter which is left to the discretion of the commanding officer, and, so far as is known, the present arrangements have been found quite satisfactory. The highest efficiency possible is the only standard that is recognised for all officers and men of His Majesty's Navy. It is not proposed to increase the complements allowed to these ships.