§ 51. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why chief artisans have been withdrawn from sea service and the complements reduced accordingly; whether it is realised that additional sea service for petty officer artisans is caused by this change; and if, in view of the small number of chief artisans allowed in the established numbers, he will take steps to increase the establishment to permit of chief artisans serving in the complements of all destroyer and submarine repair ships and the principal flagships?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe appointments for chief artisans were altered because, with 2½ years' commissions and a larger proportion of ships on foreign service, it was found that a considerable number of these ratings had to be drafted abroad with less than a full commission to serve, and in some cases during the last year of their engagements. The slight increase in sea service for the lower grade of artisan, is, I am afraid, inevitable. It is not intended to increase the establishment of artisans at the present time.