HC Deb 27 March 1990 vol 170 c97W
Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing the number of admirals in the Royal Navy expressed as a proportion of the number of vessels in the Royal Navy fleet in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The numbers of admirals receiving full active pay and of vessels in the Royal Navy on 1 April in the following years were:

Year 1Admirals Vessels Ratio
1960 84 447 1:5.3
1970 68 239 1:3.5
1980 59 182 1:3.1
1990 253 173 1:3.3
1 Rear admiral and above.
2 At 1 January.

In the modern Royal Navy, there is no direct relationship between the number of admirals and ships. The former is primarily governed by the needs of the shore organisation, including headquarters, and international commitments.

Back to