§ 30. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked whether the accountant branch of the Navy is so short-handed in the higher ranks of both officers and men that neither assistant-paymasters nor senior writers 17 have in several cases been able to obtain either foreign service or Christmas leave; and whether assistant-paymasters and clerks have during the last six months applied to leave the service in greater numbers than in any previous period?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn reply to the first part of the question, there is at present a temporary shortage in the numbers of assistant-paymasters and clerks available to meet requirements, which has resulted in the curtailment of foreign service leave in several cases; but I am not aware that this has led to the stoppage of Christmas leave, which is granted without reference to the Admiralty. There is no shortage of senior writers, but in exceptional cases leave may have had to be curtailed. This is a matter which would be regulated locally. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly get more assistant-paymasters and senior writers in order to snake up for that shortage?