32. Lieut.-Colonel CHARLES KERR (for Mr. HENDERSON STEWART)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the total number of fishermen who served in the Navy during the Great War; how many fishermen were engaged in mine-sweeping; how many fishing vessels were used for mine-sweeping; how many fishermen are now on the Royal Naval Reserve; and if any fishing vessels are now scheduled for use as mine-sweepers in war?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)The total number of fishermen who served in the Navy during the War is 53,160, including 3,987 skippers, but no accurate figures are available to show the number engaged in mine-sweeping. At the end of the War, the number of trawlers employed on this service was about 1,100. The number of fishermen now in the Royal Naval Reserve, including skippers and enginemen, is approximately 3,280. It would not be in the public interest to give the details asked for in the last part of the question.
§ Sir M. WOODBy trawlers, does the right hon. Gentleman mean trawlers and drifters, or trawlers alone?