§ MR. KEARLEYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can explain why the claims of the warrant officers of the Navy, which he assured the House more than a year since were then under consideration by the Admiralty, and as to which he hoped to be able in a short time to make an announcement which would be regarded as satisfactory, have not been dealt with; whether he is aware that the Civil Lord has recently stated that the question has taken a new turn, and is engaging the consideration of the Admiralty with a view of the whole question being reconsidered; and whether he can now announce the present position of affairs?
*SIR UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTHI am able to confirm the statements on the subject of warrant officers which we have made from time to time. It is a large and important subject, a decision on which cannot be hurried. Meanwhile, the consideration which I said last year was being given to the question of an increase of numbers of warrant officers has resulted in an addition of about 100 by the present year's Estimates.