§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (Woolwich)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the assurances given, that positions in the Naval Ordnance Department which could be taken by gunners and boatswains as they became vacant should be filled by men of the rank of naval warrant officers, he will explain why none of the ten vacancies for assistant naval ordnance officers that have occurred since 1899, have been filled by the appointment of a naval warrant officer.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) The course that has been adopted in regard to the filling of vacancies for assistant naval ordnance officers is in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee which dealt with the reorganisation of the Naval Ordnance Store Department. If the noble Lord will refer to the reply given to his previous Question on this subject, on the 2nd June last,† he will find a statement as to the scope of this Committee's recommendations so far as they dealt with the employment of retired warrant officers.