§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been reached in regard to the introduction of training in sailing ships for the personnel of His Majesty's Fleet; whether such a proposal has been submitted to any body of experts for approval; and which of the principal maritime Powers of the world still have arrangements for giving such training to the personnel of their fleets?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLThe following countries use sailing ships for naval training, namely, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Rumania, Argentina, Chile, and Yugoslavia (ship under construction). The whole question as to whether we should re-introduce them into our naval training is at the present time under close examination by the Admiralty.
Mr. WEST RUSSELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the estimated cost involved by the scheme for reintroducing training in sailing ships for the personnel of His Majesty's Navy; whether this scheme has been submitted to any body of experts; and, if so, what was the constitution of such body?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLThe question of re-introducing training in sailing ships, including the cost involved, is under close examination by the Admiralty. In the meantime it is not possible to make any statement as to what action is likely to be taken and at what cost.