§ 55. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give in detail the numbers of each rank and rating of engineering personnel in 1928; and whether the number of engineer commanders, engineer lieutenants, and commissioned engineers will be fully maintained, or whether the number of these officers is reduced by 5, 17 and 17, respectively, as a result of retirements during 1928?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe combined lists of engineer commanders and commanders (E), and those of engineer lieutenants and lieutenants (E) will be maintained at the number necessary to meet the requirements of the Service. Promotion to the rank of commissioned engineer is obtained on the completion of 10 years' service as warrant engineer, and is, therefore, dependent upon that. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the numbers of the engineering personnel.
§ Following are the particulars:
§ The numbers of engineer officers and ratings on the Active List on the 1st April, 1928, were as follow:
| Engineer Vice-Admiral | 1 |
| Engineer Rear-Admiral | 10 |
| Engineer Captain | 48 |
| Engineer Commander | 197 |
| Commander (E) | 33 |
| Engineer Lieut.-Commander | 98 |
| Lieut.-Commander (E) | 40 |
| Engineer Lieutenant | 64 |
| Lieutenant (E) | 179 |
| Sub-Lieutenant (E) | 44 |
| Mate (E) | 10 |
| Midshipman (E) | 126 |
| Commissioned Engineer | 190 |
| Warrant Engineer | 268 |
| Commissioned Mechanician | 16 |
| Warrant Mechanician | 9 |
| Chief Engine Room Artificer | 781 |
| Engine Room Artificer | 2,440 |
| Engine Room Artificer Apprentice | 565 |
| Chief Mechanician | 61 |
| Mechanician | 246 |
| Chief Stoker | 837 |
| Stoker Petty Officer | 3,099 |
| Leading Stoker | 3,162 |
| Stoker, First Class | 11,333 |
| Stoker, Second Class | 1,322 |
| Total | 25,179 |