HC Deb 11 February 1948 vol 447 cc346-7
3. Mr. Medland

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the findings of the Noble Report, particularly with reference to the future status of warrant officers, will be promulgated; and whether, in view of its importance, it will be available to Members of this House before the Navy Estimates are discussed.

The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Dugdale)

The report of the Noble Committee on the future of Warrant Officers of the Royal Navy is a confidential report to the Board of Admiralty, and, in accordance with normal practice, it will not be published. I promised the hon. and gallant Member for Hull, East (Commander Pursey) on 29th January, 1947, that I would certainly inform the House if any major changes were decided upon as a result of consideration of the report, and I hope to be in a position to do this either before or during the Debate on the Navy Estimates.

Mr. Medland

Will the Report which the Financial Secretary has promised us be sufficient for this House to arrive at a decision whether the abolition or otherwise of the warrant officers is premature or not?

Mr. Dugdale

I cannot possibly say whether it will be sufficient for the House, or for the hon. Member.

Commander Noble

May I ask whether the Financial Secretary will ensure that the spelling of the title of the Report is correct in HANSARD, and, secondly, will he give an assurance that the points put forward by the warrant officers will be given consideration?

Mr. Dugdale

With regard to the first point, I am only too delighted to assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I did not think his name was spelt as on the Paper. With regard to the second point, we will certainly give that consideration.