§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the number of third writers in ships of the Royal Navy filling the post of second writers, and the number of second writers filling the post of chief writers; and, whether it is intended to fill up existing vacancies by means of the present automatic system of promotion, from one class to another, upon the completion of certain service.
MR. GOSCHENAccording to latest reports, 63 third writers are employed in lieu of second writers, and 13 second writers in lieu of chief writers. The answer to the second question is in the affirmative, so far as circumstances allow.