§ 7. Miss Vickersasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many men serving in the Royal Navy are still employed in Her Majesty's Dockyards in the United Kingdom; and in what capacity they are serving.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingOne hundred and fifteen officers and about 50 ratings. Apart from Admirals Superintendent, Captains of the Dockyard and Queen's Harbour Masters, these numbers are made up in the main of managers of the engineering and electrical departments and their assistants.
§ Miss VickersIs that a decrease on the numbers? Is it still the policy of the Government to keep naval officers in the dockyards?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI think the previous year the number was 112, so it is a small, insignificant increase. It is our policy to associate naval officers with the dockyards, partly because that gives them experience in dockyard work which is valuable to them when commanding ships, and secondly in specialist departments like the Weapons Department, where a knowledge of the operational requirements can be extremely helpful.
§ Mr. WillisIs it true that the number of higher officers in the dockyards, as a result of this reorganisation, is likely to increase?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI am afraid I have not studied the reorganisation in detail but perhaps the hon. Member would like to put a Question down, because that does not arise on this Question.