HC Deb 27 July 1916 vol 84 cc1870-1
76. Mr. FLAVIN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why officers promoted from the writer branch are not included as part of the established numbers of the accountant officers allowed, as is the case in the engineer branch?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The usual practice is to show the list of warrant officers separately from the commissioned ranks. This is a matter of convenience. The practice, however, as regards warrant officers of the engineer branch has been departed from, again as a matter of convenience. But the fact that in one case the warrant officers are shown with the commissioned ranks and in all others—including the writers—separately, does not in any way affect the substantial question which I imagine my hon. Friend has in mind, namely, the proportion of warrant ranks allowed by establishment to the writers.

77. Mr. FLAVIN

asked the increase in the personnel of the Navy authorised by Parliament between October, 1915, and 31st March, 1916; and what increase has been made in the number of commissioned and warrant writers for the same period to meet the consequent demand for experienced accountant officers, observing that authority is vested with the Admiralty by Order in Council, dated 12th August, 1915, to promote an unlimited number of writers to warrant rank during the period of hostilities?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The increase in the personnel of the Navy authorised by Parliament between the 1st October, 1915, and the 31st March, 1916, was from 300,000 to 350,000, or an increase of 16.7 per cent. The actual increase in the number of commissioned and warrant writers made during the same period was from twenty—seven to thirty—eight, or an increase of 40.7 per cent. While it is true" that the Order in Council of 12th August, 1915, gives the Admiralty power during hostilities to fix, with the concurrence of the Treasury, the numbers of commissioned writers and warrant writers, I cannot accept the suggestion that such power could be used to promote an unlimited number of writers to warrant rank. The number of promotions made must, of course, depend upon the needs of the Service.