§ 8. Commander MARSDENasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress has been made in giving effect to the Board's decision, as announced on 7th March last, that it is imperative that some sea going training should be given cadets after leaving Dartmouth, and boys when they leave their educational establishments?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLIt has been decided that naval cadets shall in future be given training in a sea-going cruiser after leaving Dartmouth. His Majesty's Ship "Frobisher" has been selected for this service, and the alterations necessary to fit her for it will shortly be carried out at Portsmouth Dockyard. The intention is that she shall take two terms of Dartmouth cadets immediately after the completion of their Dartmouth course and all the cadets now trained in His Majesty's Ship "Erebus," and shall carry out three cruises a year, changing one term of cadets every four months. As one of the main objects of the scheme is that the cadets should themselves do much of the work of the ship, the ordinary complement of the training ship will be kept as low as possible, and will be obtained by paying off the two existing tenders to Dartmouth College and the "Erebus," and by changing the status of the "Erebus" to that of turret drill ship with a minimum complement. The requirements of the scheme for giving sea-going training in sail to boy ratings after leaving the shore training establishments and to midshipmen, are still being worked out in detail, and will be taken into consideration in preparing the Estimates for next year and explained to the House in connection therewith.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the midshipmen in the sailing ships will form an effective part of the crew and do some of the ship's work?