§ Mr. Willsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total authorised bearing of chief and E.R.A.s and chief and mechanicians, respectively, during the financial year 1947–48; and the total authorised bearing of these ratings which is contemplated when present arrangements to increase the proportion of mechanicians to E.R.A.s are fulfilled.
Mr. DugdaleThe Navy was decreasing during the financial year 1947–48, and the authorised bearing of the various branches, therefore, changed in the course of the year. Excluding ratings under training, the authorised bearing of the categories mentioned at 31st December, 1947, was:
Chief E.R.A.s 789 E.R.A.s 2,368 Chief Mechanicians 152 Mechanicians 455 Future bearings for these ratings have not yet been decided.