Royal Navy Armed British Merchant Ships 1. Mr. BUTCHER asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed in case of war indiscriminately to arm British merchant ships in order to repel the attack of armed foreign merchant cruisers, or whether it is proposed only to arm certain selected British merchant ships; if so, on what principle such ships will be selected; and whether only ships over a certain tonnage will be selected for the purpose? The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill) The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It is proposed, with the concurrence of their owners, to arm in peace time certain merchant steamers for the purposes of defence only. There is no tonnage limit, but the object is to provide defence for ships most likely to require it, and capable of carrying the armament. Short-Service Men 2. Lord CHARLES BERESFORD asked the number of short-service men that are to be enlisted out of the 8,500 proposed as additional in this year's Estimates? Mr. CHURCHILL As I explained in debate, the numbers by which it is proposed to increase the Navy are approximately 7,000. In order to make good waste and arrive at this increase more than twice the number of boys and men of all ratings will be recruited. Of the total numbers recruited, about 1,850 will be Special Service stokers and about 500 Special Service seamen. The service of Special Service stokers and seamen is five years afloat and seven in the Reserve. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE Does the right hon. Gentleman withdraw his statement made in his Memorandum regarding the 8,500 men to be added this year to the Fleet? Mr. CHURCHILL No, Sir; I cannot withdraw any statement. They are all strictly accurate. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many out of the 8,500 are officers and how many seamen? Mr. CHURCHILL Yes Sir, on notice being given. 4. Lord C. BERESFORD asked how many short-service men are borne in each ship of the First Fleet? Mr. CHURCHILL No useful purpose would be served by giving this information in detail, but I may say that by the Returns of last February the actual number of Special Service seamen borne throughout the Navy is 3.8 per cent. of the number of seamen borne, excluding boys, or 3 per cent. of the number of seamen and boys. The number of Special Service stokers is 14.8 per cent. of the total number of stokers borne. Lord C. BERESFORD Is the right hon. Gentleman increasing or decreasing the number of Special Service men? Mr. CHURCHILL I must ask for notice. I could not answer without reference. First Fleet (Seamen And Boys) 3. Lord C. BERESFORD asked how many ordinary seamen and boys are borne in each ship of the First Fleet? Mr. CHURCHILL The number of boys allowed is one-fifth of the seaman complement. In addition to their full seagoing complement composed as above, twelve ships in the First Fleet have drafts of from twenty-five to forty boys as supernumeraries for training. The actual complements are confidential. Lord C. BERESFORD Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the complements have been published? Mr. CHURCHILL They are not correct. Hms" Cochrane" 7. Major HOPE asked if the attention of the First Lord of the Admiralty has been drawn to the case of Frederick Marshall, carpenter's mate, His Majesty's ship "Cochrane," about to be discharged from Haslar Hospital suffering from consumption; whether he is aware that, after sixteen years' service and suffering from illness contracted in the Service, this man is to be discharged without pension and with only a bonus of £6; and whether he will take steps either to enable this man to complete his cure and return to the Service or to enter civilian life with a more reasonable prospect of finding work and being able to support his wife and family? Mr. LAMBERT (Civil Lord of the Admiralty) Frederick Marshall is at present in Haslar Hospital under treatment for tuberculous disease. He will be surveyed on the 10th instant and, if found unfit for further service, will be invalided. On that assumption, he will be granted a pension of about ten shillings a week and a good conduct gratuity of £3. As regards the latter portion of the question, an offer was made to treat the man in hospital and to assist him in securing sanatorium benefit on discharge, but it was declined. Aircraft 10. Mr. FREDERICK HALL (Dulwich) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what amount was spent by Germany in 1912 on airships and aeroplanes for naval purposes and for buildings and equipment in connection therewith; what amount is provided in the German Naval Estimates of 1913 for the same purposes; what were the amounts provided and actually spent under these heads by Great Britain in 1912–13; and what expenditure is proposed in 1913–14? Mr. CHURCHILL The amount provided in the German Navy Estimates for the financial year 1912–13 for airships and aeroplanes for naval purposes and for buildings and equipment in connection therewith was £114,970. Information as to the actual expenditure is not available. The corresponding amount provided for 1913–14 is £183,464, but it is stated in the Press that a Supplementary Estimate is to be proposed amounting to £146,771, which would bring the total for 1913–14 to £330,235. As regards Great Britain, the amount provided in the Navy Estimates for 1912–13 was £141,150, the amount expended in that year being approximately £183,800. The amount provided for 1913–14 is £321,620. I am not prepared to say that the actual figure is necessarily the final figure for British expenditure. Mr. F. HALL Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman states that the actual figures may not be taken as the final figures, and is the House to understand that if necessary he will come down for additional Estimates for the aerial service? Mr. CHURCHILL The hon. Gentleman may rely on our taking all steps that are necessary. 11. Mr. F. HALL asked if there are at the present time in the possession of the German Government any dirigible airships of the rigid type capable of a speed of 40 miles an hour or over, of flying 500 miles or more without requiring to descend, and equipped with guns and bomb-dropping apparatus; if so, what is the number of such ships constructed or in course of construction; and how many airships of equal value are in the possession of, or have been laid down for, the British Navy? Mr. CHURCHILL There are no rigid airships of this value in the possession of the British Navy at the present time. Two airships almost capable of the above performances will be in the possession of the Admiralty in the course of the next month or so. There are no rigid airships built or building as yet for the British Navy. Mr. F. HALL Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question? Mr. CHURCHILL I could not speak with absolute certainty respecting the performances of vessels which I have never seen, and no person connected with the Admiralty has ever seen, and the details of which are kept most carefully secret by the foreign Governments concerned. 13. Mr. F. HALL asked what number of dirigible airships of the rigid type for naval purposes is proposed to be constructed in 1913–14, and the dimensions, speed, and carrying capacity of the same? Mr. CHURCHILL The question of the construction of rigid airships for naval purposes is now under consideration. It is not considered advisable at present to give any information as to their probable numbers or dimensions. Training Seamen 12. Mr. F. HALL asked what is the length of time taken in training a seaman for the Navy; how many of the boys now being trained will become qualified as regards age limit and in other respects to join the Navy in the present and the two succeeding years; how many new ships will be commissioned in the three years 1913–14, 1914–15, and 1915–16; and the total number of seamen required for the full manning of such vessels? Mr. CHURCHILL So far as the training of seamen is concerned, I must refer the hon. Member to what I said when introducing the Navy Estimates last month. The output of men and ships, and the corresponding deductions due to wastage of men and ships, are, so far as can be foreseen, carefully balanced for several years in advance, and the partial statistics asked for would be of no value, as they would take no account of wastage on either side. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in introducing the Navy Estimates he gave three years as the time in which seamen will become efficient, and is it not the fact that the term in the opinion of the authorities of the Admiralty is four years? Mr. CHURCHILL That does not arise out of the question. British Shipyards (Foreign Construction) 14. Mr. F. HALL asked how many battleships, battle cruisers, and light cruisers are at the present time being constructed for foreign Powers in private shipyards in Great Britain? Mr. CHURCHILL The information asked for is as follows: Battleships, four; battle cruiser, one; light cruisers, nil. Mr. F. HALL May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has yet or will consider the question that I raised on the Estimates as to the advisability, in consequence of the congestion in construction, of obtaining possession of the Thames Ironworks for the purpose of building ships? Mr. SPEAKER That is very remotely connected with this question. Scott Director Firing Apparatus 15. Mr. EYRES-MONSELL asked whether the Admiralty have yet discovered who gave confidential information concerning the Scott Director firing apparatus to the "Sphere" newspaper; and, if not, what steps are they taking in this matter? Mr. CHURCHILL The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and as at present advised I do not think any action necessary. Publication Of Signals 16. Mr. EYRES-MONSELL asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the publication of signals from the signal logs of His Majesty's ships is contrary to the King's Regulations and Admiralty instructions; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take with regard to the recent article in the "British Review" written by Admiral Sir Percy Scott, Baronet? Mr. CHURCHILL The incident referred to does not appear to me to call for Admiralty action. Mr. EYRES-MONSELL Will the same leniency be shown in future to others under similar circumstances? Mr. CHURCHILL The Admiralty will certainly approach the consideration of all questions of this character with a view to the impartial exercise of disciplinary authority which they possess, and the maintenance of the general interests of the Naval Service. Admiralty Contracts (Fair-Wages Clause) 17. Mr. WILLIAM THORNE asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the British Portland Cement Manufacturers and the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers have any contract with the Admiralty; if so, whether he is aware that the wages paid to labourers by these firms in the cement trade on the Thames and Medway are from 1½d. to 2½d. less than the wages current in the district; that they pay no recognised rate for overtime or Sunday work, and employ a good deal of cheap boy labour in the machine shops; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter in order to secure strict observance of the Fair-Wages Clause? Mr. G. LAMBERT Both the firms mentioned hold contracts for the supply of Portland cement to the Admiralty. Inquiries will at once be made into the matter to which my hon. Friend draws attention. Mr. W. THORNE May I get the result of the inquiry later on? Mr. LAMBERT Certainly. Royal Fleet Reserve 18. Lord C. BERESFORD asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty are asking men of the Royal Fleet Reserve to re-enter the Navy; and, if so, will he inform the House how many men have accepted the offer? Mr. CHURCHILL As a temporary measure, men belonging to Class B of the Royal Fleet Reserve who have served as Special Service seamen and stokers have been allowed to re-enter for a further term of three years' service in the Fleet. Eight seamen and forty stokers have re-entered under these conditions. Higher Rating 19. Lord C. BERESFORD asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he is aware that men are waiting to pass for higher rating who cannot be sent to the depôts owing to there being no reliefs; whether he is aware that this presses hardly on petty officers and men, as it amounts to their being unable to obtain an increase of pay although they are fully qualified for higher rating; and will he say what action he proposes to take to remedy this grievance? Mr. CHURCHILL I am not aware of the circumstances. If it can be stated what particular ratings are referred to inquiry will be made. Eastney Sea Service Battery 20. Mr. CHARLES DUNCAN asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the staff for sea service battery at Eastney, mentioned on page 11 of his statement to the House and in the Portsmouth General Order, No. 509, of 19th March, 1913, is to consist of one E.R.A. at 24s. per week, one S.P.O. or leading stoker and two stokers at 22s. per week each; whether these rates of wages are correct; if so, will he state the reason for the reduction to 24s. for the fully qualified mechanic, who is to be in responsible charge of the whole of the plant, seeing that the current rate in the district for ordinary mechanical work is 38s. 6d. per week; and whether he can state how many qualified men have refused to accept the employment at these rates? Mr. LAMBERT , the answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am making inquiries as to the precise nature of the work for which the man is required, and how it compares with ordinary mechanical work. I have no information as to how many qualified men have refused the appointment. Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott 9. Mr. F. HALL asked if the First Lord of the Admiralty has any official information showing that Vice-Admiral Sir Percy Scott will, after retirement, join a firm engaged in naval construction and armament work; and, if so, whether he will state the name of the firm and the nature of the position to he filled by Sir Percy Scott? Mr. CHURCHILL Sir Percy Scott is now on the retired list, and it is not incumbent upon him either to furnish the Admiralty with information or to obtain from them approval in regard to any steps of the character indicated in the question. Mr. F. HALL May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Prime Minister stated that when these officers were retired they, as a rule, intimated to the Minister in charge beforehand what they intended to do, and obtained consent before accepting any position? Mr. CHURCHILL My attention has not been drawn to that particular statement of the Prime Minister, but I will verify the reference. It does not, however, appear to affect in any way the answer I have given. Mr. BARNES Is not Sir Percy Scott pensioned and retired, and if he accepts a pension is it open to him to accept private employment when pensioned? Mr. CHURCHILL Certainly he is pensioned. I do not know that he is going to accept private employment, but there is nothing to prevent it under the conditions of the pension which has been granted, and which, I may add, has been earned. I have always understood that the theory upon which a pension is granted is that it has been earned, and is to be regarded as deferred pay. There is nothing in the conditions under which the pension is being paid, and which has been earned, to prevent him from acting in this manner. I express no opinion whether it is desirable or undesirable. Mr. F. HALL May I ask whether it is the fact that the Prime Minister did make that statement in reply to a question by an hon. Member, and whether he will consider it, and be prepared to give me an answer if I ask a question? Mr. CHURCHILL There are quite different aspects of this question. When an officer on active service is approached by a firm of contractors with an offer to leave the Service in order to take up some work with them, that requires to be carefully watched, but the action of retired officers who have left the Service is not amenable to public control under any law or regulation which exists at the present time. Abyssinia (Importation Of Arms) 21. Mr. GLAZEBROOK asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in consideration of the fact that Abyssinia does not stand by the terms of the Brusels Treaty, it is possible to prohibit the importation of arms into that country? The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland) The Brussels Act provides that a territorial Power on the coast may stop, exceptionally and provisionally, the transit of arms and ammunition across its territory if, in consequence of inland disturbances or other serious danger, there is ground for fearing that the dispatch of arms and ammunition might compromise its own safety. This is actually being done by the French Government, through whose territory arms formerly reached Abyssinia. 22. Mr. GLAZEBROOK asked whether arms imported by the French at Djibouti for the use of the Abyssinian Government find their way to Somaliland, British East Africa, and the Sudan; and, if so, what measures he proposes to take to stop this trade which imperils the peace of our protectorates? Mr. ACLAND According to the information received by His Majesty's Government, arms imported at Djibouti for the use of the Abyssinian Government have in the past found their way into British Somaliland, British East Africa, and the Sudan, but since April of last year the Governor of the French Somali Coast has prohibited the transit of arms for Abyssinia, and I am assured that the French Colonial authorities are taking energetic steps to prevent the importation of all arms through Djibouti. Mr. GLAZEBROOK May I ask whether the Government have got information that arms are still going or have been during the last four months? Mr. ACLAND I will make further inquiry if the hon. Member desires. Colonel YATE Has the French Government prohibited the export of arms through Djibouti to Muscat? Mr. ACLAND Perhaps the hon. Member would put down his question about export. Chinese Republic 24. Dr. CHAPPLE asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to extend recognition to the Chinese Republic? Mr. ACLAND I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 7th instant to an unstarred question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham. 27. Mr. ALLEN BAKER asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that the United States of America is giving public recognition to the Chinese Republic on the opening of its Parliament; and whether any similar action is being taken on the part of this country? Mr. ACLAND The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. For the second part, I must refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 7th instant to an unstarred question by the hon. Member for East Nottingham. Mr. JOHN WARD What was the answer—"Yes" or "No"? Mr. ACLAND The answer was neither "Yes" nor "No." Austrian Military Manœuvres 25. Mr. NEWMAN asked whether large bodies of Austrian troops have been assembled for the purpose of manœuvres on the Dalmatian-Montenegrin frontier between Budna and Ugni; and, if so, whether, in view of the fact that Austrian military manœuvres are usually carried out in the early autumn, it is the intention of the European Powers, in view of the state of tension now existing, to request the Austrian military authorities to postpone the annual manœuvres of the troops in Dalmatia to a more opportune season? Mr. ACLAND I have no official information respecting the first part of the hon. Member's question. The answer to the second part is in the negative. War In Balkans 26. Mr. NEWMAN asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the town of Cettinje is largely provisioned by foodstuffs imported from the Austrian seaport Bocche di Cattaro; whether he has received information that foodstuffs consigned to Cettinje have been or are about to be detained by the Austrian authorities; and whether such an action by a member of the Triple Alliance directed against a Power friendly to this country will have the countenance of His Majesty's Government? Mr. ACLAND I have no information respecting the alleged detention, or the intended detention, of foodstuffs at Cattaro to which the hon. Member refers. The question of action taken by the Austrian Government in its own territory is not a matter which depends upon the countenance of His Majesty's Government.