§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of naval cook ratings allowed by complement to the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, the number of naval cook ratings borne, and the number of ratings victualled in the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, on 3rd July, 1930?
§ Mr. AMMON21 cook ratings are allowed by complement. Figures or 3rd July are not available, but on 7th July 80 cooks were borne, whilst the average number of ratings cooked for during the week ending 6th July was 2,307.
§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the number of officers' cook ratings borne in the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, are surplus to requirements; and if he will say why officers' cook ratings are employed in the general mess galley of the ship's company if there is not a shortage of naval cook ratings?
§ Mr. AMMONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Supernumerary officers' cooks are employed in the general mess galley so that their services can be used to the greatest advantage.
§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the provisions of Admiralty Fleet Order 1411, of the 7th June, 1929, are being observed by the drafting office at the naval barracks, 1478W Portsmouth; and, if so, why a chief petty officer cook, who arrived in England in February last after two years and 10 months in the Mediterranean, has now been placed on draft for a ship commissioning for China?
§ Mr. AMMONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A chief petty officer cook who arrived in England in February last, after two years and 10 months in the Mediterranean, has now been placed on draft for a ship commissioning for China because he has reached the top of the "Longest at Home" roster.