§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the numbers of able seamen in ships of the first and second divisions of the Home Fleet, the Atlantic Fleet, and first, second, and fifth cruiser squadrons have been reduced by 25 per cent. and their places filled by corresponding number of boys?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Noble Lord is under a misapprehension. As a temporary measure only orders have been given for the complements of boys in seagoing ships to be increased 25 per cent., the number of able seamen, approximately 3 per cent. of their complement, being correspondingly reduced.