§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the vacancies for chief and other writers at present existing in the clerical staff of ships of the Royal Navy: whether he is aware that representations have been made as to the necessity of filling up existing vacancies in view of the fact that about one-third of the writers now in the service are detailed for duties in the home depots; and whether steps will be taken in this direction?
§ MR. MACARTNEYSix vacancies exist for chief and other writers in the clerical staff of Her Majesty's ships, which will be filled up as opportunities for passage occur. The requirements of the service up to the 31st March are complete, and representations made from time to time as to the number of writers required receive due consideration.