§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state from what other source than the British mercantile marine the Admiralty, in time of war, would be able to draw men for His Majesty's ships of war; whether he would be dependent upon the British mercantile marine, in time of war, to supply wastage and fully man His Majesty's warships; whether he is aware of the very great percentage of foreigners, including Asiatics, employed on board vessels of the British mercantile marine; and whether he proposes to take any steps by which a greater number of Britishers shall be employed on board British vessels?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn reply to the first part of the question, the men will he drawn from the Royal Navy and the various Naval Reserves, consisting of Royal Fleet Reserve, pensioners, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. As regards the second part of the question, the demands on the mercantile marine for this purpose, so far as can be foreseen, will be limited to such men as belong to the Reserve. In reply to the last part of the question, it is not considered necessary, so far as the requirements of the Royal Navy are concerned, to take any steps in this direction.