§ 50. Mr. Willisasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many of Her Majesty's ships in commission are without their full complement of electrician officers and ratings; and in how many ships junior electrician ratings are carried in lieu of senior ratings.
§ Mr. HayNo ships in commission are without their full complement of electrical officers. All ships, other than submarines and ships below frigates, are to some degree short of senior skilled electrical ratings. More junior electrical ratings than has been customary are now borne, not only to mitigate the shortages of skilled seniors but because, owing to our success in recruiting artificer apprentices, greater numbers are coming from the training schools and should get sea experience.