HC Deb 02 December 1959 vol 614 cc1158-9
10. Sir P. Agnew

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty the present strength of officers and ratings in the Royal Navy; and how this compares with the average during the ten years 1925 to 1935.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

There are at present 102,394 officers, ratings and other ranks in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The average over the period 1925–1935 was 95,850.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of the Vote "A" figures from 1925 to 1935.

Sir P. Agnew

Do the figures that the Civil Lord has just given mean that, compared with pre-war days, there is an even better chance of a satisfactory career and promotion for both ratings and officers in the Royal Navy?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

I think it does mean that. The modern Navy offers a more varied career and, incidentally, the rewards—the pay and allowances—are very much better, in real terms, than before the war.

Mr. Lipton

Does that reply mean that we are going to have more admirals in the Admiralty?

Following is the information:

Vote "A" Figures
1925 100,099
1926 100,323
1927 101,818
1928 101,196
1929 99,078
1930 95,775
1931 93,099
1932 89,988
1933 89,549
1934 90,852
1935 92,543