§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether sick-berth petty officers of the Portsmouth Division are still allowed to take advantage of their free discharge under reduction of personnel as laid down in Admiralty Fleet Order 1359; and whether sick-berth petty officers of the Portsmouth Division have recently applied for their discharge under this Order without effect, in spite of the fact that the number of sick-berth petty officers at present borne are quoted as being in excess to the number allowed per Estimates for the current financial year?
§ Mr. AMERYThe selection of home service men for discharge under the 1709W terms of the special scheme for the reduction of personnel ceased as from the 30th of June last, except as laid down in Admiralty Fleet Order 1746/22. When the numbers who have applied for their discharge on foreign stations are accurately known, the question of any existing surplus—should there be one—will be dealt with.
§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he furnish the date of the increase in proportion of the higher rates in the sick-berth staff of the Portsmouth Division?
§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the numbers of sick-berth chief petty officers, sick-berth petty officers, leading sick berth attendants, and sick-berth attendants, respectively, of the Portsmouth Division laid down in the estimated numbers voted for the current financial year?
§ Mr. AMERYIt is contrary to Admiralty policy to publish details of the numbers of ratings. Moreover, the numbers of the different ratings are liable to vary during the year according to requirements, and the numbers estimated for, if given, might prove misleading.