§ 13. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many petty officers and men who are not volunteers for the post-war Navy are serving with His Majesty's Fleet?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI presume my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to know how-many demobilisable petty officers and men are still serving. The number is 700, of whom the greater part are men of the Trawler Section of the Royal Naval Reserve, employed in care of trawlers and drifters reconditioning.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHave any of the men applied for demobilisation; and, if so, why is it necessary at this late hour to keep so many men against their will in the Fleet?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot answer the first part, but certainly if they have applied, every endeavour will be made, consistent with the service on which they are engaged, to meet them.