§ GENERAL LAURIEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) what is the establishment of shipwrights on the active list of Her Majesty's Navy; (2) whether the number is complete, or what is the present deficiency; and (3) if a deficiency, whether competent men have 21 expressed unwillingness to enter the service, owing to alleged grievances in regard to rank and pay and the duties they are required to perform; and (4), whether there is any alterations in the matters of pay and position?
§ MR. MACARTNEYThere is no fixed establishment of shipwright ratings. The number borne at the present moment is 1151, and the number required to meet waste is 27. As regards paragraphs 2 and 3, it is, I believe, the case that efforts are being made to prevent the entry of shipwrights, with a view to putting pressure upon the Admiralty to remedy certain specified grievances. These alleged grievances have been carefully examined, but it is not considered necessary to treat shipwrights in any exceptional manner as compared with other skilled ratings on board H.M. ships.