§ Mr. Broadasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number by which warrant accountant officers have been substantially increased; the duties which have been transferred to them from commissioned accountant officers; and the reasons why some of the younger warrant accountant officers have not been promoted to pay- 2194W master-lieutenant instead of entering reserve officers, in view of the fact that the warrant officers have had up to 20 and more years' experience of the actual duties?
Lord StanleyThe number of warrant writers has been increased from 50 to 68 since the 9th March, 1936, and that of warrant supply officers from 59 to 68 since the same date. The duties, the transference of which led to these increases, are those of such a character as to be within the competence of warrant officers. The posts to which these duties are attached comprise 10 of a secretarial nature afloat and in various offices ashore, and one accountant and one supply post, both in a depot ship. In answer to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 17th February.
§ Mr. Chaterasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now able to make an announcement about the improved conditions, financial and otherwise, to be offered to executive warrant officers as the result of the investigation completed over two months ago, in order to overcome the breakdown whereby there are 63 vacancies and no qualified candidates to fill them?
Lord StanleyI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17th February to the hon. Member for the Westhoughton Division (Mr. Rhys Davies) to which, I am afraid, I am unable to add anything at present.