Sir W. BARTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of cadets training on H.M.S. "Carnarvon," and how they are selected; how many officers and men are engaged; whether the ship is exclusively used for training purposes; what has been the total expenditure for the last three months and the average cost per cadet over that 457W period; and whether he is satisfied that the expenditure is justified?
§ Sir J. CRAIG:There are 45 "special entry" cadets and five paymaster cadets under training in H.M.S. "Carnarvon." They are entered by competitive examination after passing a selection committee. The crew of the "Carnarvon," including officers borne specially for instruction of cadets, is 32 officers and 488 ratings. The ship is at present used exclusively as a cadet training ship, but is in commission, and available for other services if necessary The total cost of maintaining this ship for three months, including wages of crew, fuel, repairs, and all running expenses, is estimated to be £47,700. The expenditure is not, as suggested in the question, solely—or even principally—due to cost of training cadets; £30,500, namely, over 60 per cent. of the total, is accounted for by pay, allowances, and victualling of the crew. The officers and men are necessary for manning the Fleet in case of war, and the cost of their pay and victualling would not be reduced if no cadets were being trained. The cost of the maintenance of the ship would also have to be met if she was in Reserve, although it would be less than the cost in full commission.