2. Brigadier Clarkeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval officers and ratings have been allowed to retire or buy their discharge; and how this figure compares with the applications received, between February, 1954, and 1st October, 1954.
§ Commander NobleOne thousand and sixteen applications have been received from ratings of which 830 have been approved. One hundred and seven have been received from officers; of these, 70 have been approved.
Brigadier ClarkeMay I thank my hon. Friend for those figures? I think there has been a great improvement, and many officers and ratings will be very pleased.