§ MR. BARNES (Glasgow, Blackfriars)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty how many mechanicians are now serving afloat in His Majesty's ships; what duties do they perform; are they in addition to or part of ships' complements; and, if the latter, what number of engine-room artificers are thus displaced.
The primary duty of mechanicians is keeping watch in the engine-room when the ship is under way; when not under way, they are employed on such repair work as does not require the highest skill. Confirmed mechanicians are part of the ship's complement—acting mechanicians are additional to complement. At the present time two confirmed mechanicians replace the engine-room artificer, and one stoker in a ship's complement. The number of mechanicians sent to any one ship is limited to six.
MR. MCKENNA— Approx. Mechanicians confirmed in that rating 80 Acting mechanicians 70 Total 150