§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the establishment of warrant writers and other officer ranks from the writer branch has yet been fixed; and, if so, what are the numbers authorised?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe present establishment of warrant writers and above is three paymaster lieutenants promoted from warrant rank, 10 commissioned writers and 31 warrant writers. As I stated in my reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 25th February last (OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 728), it should218W be borne in mind that establishments represent the maximum numbers which may be borne under existing authority, the numbers actually borne, within the limits of the establishment, being decided by the requirements at the time.