HC Deb 01 December 1909 vol 13 cc475-6
Mr. BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could state how many men are now on active service who have been enlisted as short service men; and whether, in view of the six years' experience of the system, the Board can see their way to reducing their number by substituting long service men again?

Dr. MACNAMARA

By the latest information available the numbers of special service ratings borne were—

Special service seamen 1,683
Special service stokers 6,190
7,873
out of a total number in each class of—
Seamen 42,458
Stokers 32,604
75,062
There is no intention of altering the present arrangements.

Mr. BELLAIRS

Why has the number of stokers been increased by nearly 3,000?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I do not know. Will the hon. Member give notice of that question?