§ 23. Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can now report on the results achieved in 1727 vocational training of naval ratings by the expenditure of the sum of £2,500 voted in the 1923–24 Naval Estimates under the resettlement scheme; and whether the Admiralty will establish the principle that, providing the requirements of the Service admit, all men in the last two months of their first continuous service engagements and engagements to complete time for pension will be allowed to undergo courses of vocational training to fit them for return to civil life?
§ Mr. AMMONThe scheme of vocational training has been in force for such a, short time that no report on the results achieved can yet be made. With regard to the second part of the question, I am afraid this principle cannot be admitted, as it
| Type. | Full Commission. | Reduced Commission. | Reserve Commission. | Paid off for refit, etc. | Total. | |
| Battleships | … | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Battle Cruisers | … | 2 (b) | 1 | — | 1 | 4 |
| Cruisers | … | — | — | 1(c) | 1(d) | 2 |
| Light Cruisers | … | 14(b) | 2 | 3 | 3 | 22 |
| Aircraft Carriers | … | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Flotilla Leaders | … | 5 | 1 | 7 | — | 13 |
| Destroyers | … | 40 | 34 | 80 | 1 | 155 |
| Sloops | … | 4 | — | — | 11 | 15 |
| Submarines | … | 35 | — | 11 | — | 46 |
| Minelayers | … | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Destroyers depot ships | … | 2 | — | 3 | — | 5 |
| Submarine depot ships | … | 5 | — | — | — | 5 |
| (a) Most of the Atlantic Fleet ships in full commission are at present cruising in Mediterranean. | ||||||
| (b) Two battle cruisers and 5 light cruisers in full commission are at present on Empire cruise. | ||||||
| (c) Will shortly be taken in hand for conversion to aircraft carrier. | ||||||
| (d) Is being converted to aircraft carrier. |
| On the 19th February, 1924, the strength of the Mediterranean Fleet was:— | ||||||
| — | Full Commission | Reduced Commission | Reserve Commission | Paid off. | Total | |
| Battleships | … | 4 | 2 | — | — | 6 |
| Light Cruisers | … | 6 | — | — | — | 6 |
| Flotilla Leaders | … | 2 | — | — | — | 2 |
| Destroyers | … | 10 | — | 2 | — | 18 |
| Sloops | … | 4 | — | — | — | 4 |
| Destroyer depot ships | … | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| On the 1st February, 1913, the strength of the Mediterranean Fleet was:— | ||||
| Battle Cruiser | … | … | 1 | All in full commission |
| Armoured Cruisers | … | … | 3 | |
| Cruisers, 2nd Class | … | … | 2 | |
| Cruisers, 3rd Class | … | … | 2 | |
| Destroyers | … | … | 10 | |
| Submarines | … | … | 3 |
§ would involve a considerable increase in. Vote "A."