§ 39. Mr. Channonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, as the decision to employ naval instead of civilian personnel in the Directorate of Electrical Engineering was taken three years ago, it has not yet been found possible to give the staff side of the Admiralty Administrative Whitley Council any indication of the steps to be taken; and when he will give such information.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe decision to which the hon. Member refers related to the introduction of an Electrical Branch into the Royal Navy, and was one of general principle only, requiring, as the staff side of the Admiralty Administrative Whitley Council were informed, much further investigation and consultation before any concrete scheme could be produced. As I told the hon. Member on 15th December last, there have already been preliminary discussions with the Staff side, and I hope, though I cannot promise, that more detailed information will be given to them fairly soon.