§ MR. KEARLEYTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the number of
| 1903. | 1905. | |
| Percentage of Lieutenants to Chief Gunners | 4 | 3.77 |
| Percentage of Lieutenants to Gunners | ||
| Percentage of Lieutenants to Chief Boatswains | 3.92 | 4.1 |
| Percentage of Lieutenants to Boatswains | ||
| Percentage of Lieutenants to Chief Signal Boatswains | 5.66 | 4.47 |
| Percentage of Lieutenants to Signal Boatswains | ||
| Percentage of Carpenter Lieutenants to Chief Carpenters | 3.93 | 3.46 |
| Percentage of Carpenter Lieutenants of Carpenters |
§ The number allotted to each class in 1903 was based on the combined number in commissioned warrant and warrant rank, and not on the former only. It was desired that the percentage in each class should be as near four as possible, and this is still kept in view. To explain the high percentage allotted to the signal branch it must be pointed out that, as only three lieutenants are allowed, a reduction of one would bring the percentage below three.