§ 112. Mr. Willisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by senior chief petty-officers at their status as compared with that of the other Services; and if he will consider introducing two grades of chief petty-officers, each attainable by examination, as is required for chiefs of the artificer, mechanician and shipwright branches and holding relative rank with warrant-officers I and II of the Army.
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Mr. DugdaleI am aware that some chief petty officers erroneously consider they are at a disadvantage compared with the other two Services, The new pay code, however, is designed to effect a general equality between prospects and careers taken as a whole. As I announced in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Hull (Commander Pursey) on 26th June, an Admiralty committee is now inquiring into the future of warrant officers in the several branches of the naval service. This Committee has not yet reported and when it has, its findings will have to be examined by the Admiralty. I am not yet, therefore, in a position to make a considered reply in answer to my hon. Friend's Question.