§ Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in order to show a comparison with the present 58W strength, how many officers of the rank of rear-admiral and above, excluding admirals of the Fleet, were on the active list of the Royal Navy on 1st March, 1914, and 1925, respectively; and how many of these officers were serving at the Admiralty.
§ Mr. SoamesThe number of officers of the rank or relative rank of rear-admiral and above on the active list, excluding admirals of the Fleet, were as set out below. The numbers in brackets show those serving in the Admiralty.
— Admirals Vice-admirals Rear-admirals 1st March, 1914 12 (2) 24 (4) 60 (10) 1st March, 1925 11 (—) 25 (5) 66 (12) NOTE: The numbers include for both dates officers of relative rank to rear-admiral and above in the medical, engineering and paymaster branches.
§ Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why 30 officers of the rank of rear-admiral and above, excluding Admirals of the Fleet, are serving in the Admiralty today when only 19 were serving there on 1st March, 1939.
§ Mr. SoamesThe difference is due to the imposition of tasks which either did not exist in March, 1939, or have greatly expanded in scale since that date. Examples are the transfer to the Admiralty of responsibility for the Fleet Air Arm, the existence of N.A.T.O., the greater importance attached to personnel and welfare administration and the increased complexity of research, development and production in connection with ships, armament and equipment.