§ 98. Mr. Willisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many E.R.As. were employed at A.Bs. during the recent home fleet exercises; why and upon whose authority this misemployment of skilled personnel was permitted; and whether, in view of the grave effects such misemployment has upon recruiting, he will take steps to prevent it in future.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe effect of the demobilisation arrangements and the consequent heavy drafting has resulted in a temporary shortage of seaman ratings. During the recent Fleet exercises when as many young E.R.As. as possible were embarked for training additional to complement, 10 of them were employed, in addition to the normal duties of their rating, on armament maintenance, a duty usually performed by A.Bs. qualified for this duty. Their employment was authorised by the Commander-in-Chief, and in the view of the Admiralty was justified. The ratings obtained useful experience, and no reason is seen to anticipate that such employment while under training will adversely affect recruitment.