HC Deb 24 February 1910 vol 14 cc343-4
Mr. MIDDLEMORE

asked whether the ships of the third division of the Home Fleet are to assemble shortly for continued exercises; and whether, in view of the number of accidents that have occurred to ships manned with only a fraction of their complements, these ships will have their nucleus crews brought up to full strength?

Mr. McKENNA

Such prospective movements of His Majesty's ships as it is desirable to publish are already communicated to the Press. It is not admitted that there has been any large number of accidents in the third division of the Home Fleet as is implied in the hon. Member's question.

Mr. MIDDLEMORE

Does the right hon. Gentleman, in answering the question, take recognition of the fact that there were nine accidents to nucleus crews in the first part of 1908, and only one where a ship had the full complement?

Mr. McKENNA

I have answered the question after consideration of all the circumstances in each particular case.