§ VISCOUNT BUCKMASTERMy Lords, I beg to ask the first question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government the number of young men between the ages of 18 and 30 now employed at the Admiralty.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD BRUNTISFIELD)My Lords, the number of male civilians between the ages of 18 and 30 now employed at the main Admiralty Headquarters, is 1,308. Of these 547 are either awaiting call up by the Ministry of Labour or are at present not liable for call up through reasons such as medical unfitness. The remaining 761 for whom deferment action has been taken consist either of professional and technical staff—for example, naval architects, scientists., etc.—who make up the bulk of the numbers, or of other staff employed on specialized or other duties on which they cannot be replaced at present.
§ VISCOUNT BUCKMASTERMy Lords, I beg to ask the second question on the Paper in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether, in view of the high reputation for discipline and efficiency which members of the W.R.N.S. enjoy and of the satisfaction which their employment in naval establishments has given, the question of employing them in the Admiralty has been considered and if so the grounds on which it was decided not to make use of them in this manner.]
459§ LORD BRUNTISFIELDMy Lords, the W.R.N.S. is a uniformed force primarily recruited for duties in naval establishments to permit the release of officers and ratings for active service. The appointments in the Admiralty for which the professional knowledge and experience of naval officers are required are of a kind for which the experience and training of members of the W.R.N.S. would not fit them. Their appointment in civilian posts would obviously be inappropriate.