§ 22. Mr. T. LEWISasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any reason still exists for the segregation of mates from sub-lieutenants during their gunnery training, the former being sent to Devonport while the latter remain at Portsmouth where the other courses are taken, seeing that the venue for torpedo training of mates was transferred from Devonport to Portsmouth last year?
Mr. ALEXANDERI understand that the question whether acting mates should do their gunnery and torpedo courses at Portsmouth or Devonport is being considered by the mates' committee. Until the report of that committee is received, it is considered undesirable to alter the normal arrangement under which the courses are held at Devonport. The torpedo training was transferred from Devonport to Portsmouth last year on account of the temporary dislocation of training in His Majesty's ship "Defiance."