21. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the shortage of armourer ratings on 1st June; if the, difficulty in recruiting for the armourer class has been removed; and, if it has not, what steps he proposes to take in order to obtain the necessary number of high-class mechanics?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The number borne on 15th May (the latest date for which the figures are available) was about 100 short of the number which it is desired to reach at the end of this financial year. There is still difficulty in recruiting men for this rating, and, as stated in reply to the hon. Member for. Devonport on 4th June, the subject is receiving consideration.