§ 24 and 25. Mr. DUNNICOasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether naval exercises have taken place recently in the waters commanding the route between Marseilles and Toulon, on the one hand, and the French Colonies of Northern Africa, on the other; and, if so, will he inform the House the purpose of such exercises;
1290 (2) whether man œuvres, or naval exercises, have recently taken place or are contemplated off Majorca; and, if so, has use been, or will be, made of Spanish ports and harbours?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANCombined exercises, forming part of the normal Fleet training and exercises of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets, were carried out between Gibraltar and Malta on the 11th to 14th March, and in the vicinity of Majorca on the 17th and 18th March. Use was made of the harbours of Pollenza and Palma, in Majorca, with the sanction of the Spanish Government. These exercises are similar to those which have been carried out from time to time for the past 20 years, and are necessary to maintain the efficiency of the Fleet.