§ 25. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the number of seamen allowed by Vote A is sufficient to meet all drafting and work requirements of His Majesty's ships and establishment; whether a working party was available at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, to assist the seamen of His Majesty's Ship "Lucia" to paint ship: and whether there are sufficient ratings in the three home depots to meet the port working party demands made upon them?
§ Mr. AMMONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, provided the word "work" is not-meant to include dockyard work. With regard to the second part, it is not customary 377 to provide working parties to ships in full commission for this purpose. As the port working party demand is not the basis on which the Navy is manned, such demands have to be accommodated to the personnel available.