§ 17. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a new branch, to be called the Supply Branch, is about to be created in the Royal Navy; if so, whether, in view of the rapidity of promotion consequent on the formation of a new branch, any ratings with a knowledge of account keeping and store keeping from other classes will be permitted to 1875 transfer to the number required; and whether, in the event of it being necessary to create a number of warrant officers to officer the new branch, the Admiralty will select them from chief petty officers with a knowledge of account keeping and store keeping from all branches, provided they have passed both educationally and professionally for warrant rank?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The whole question is being investigated by a Committee, and until the Committee reports I am not in a position to furnish information as to details.
§ Sir T. BRAMSDONWill the hon. Gentleman inform me when the Committee have reported?
§ Lieut.-Colonel NALLWill the hon. Gentleman see that if any men be required for this branch, preference shall be given to those who have been discharged before the Committee has reported?