§ 96. Commander Maitlandasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many cruisers in full commission are at present in home waters; the average percentage by which they exceed, or fall short of, their approved complements; and the average percentage of duties which should be performed by ratings who have qualified at specialist schools but which are at present performed by ratings with lower qualifications than those designated for the duties.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe Home Fleet cruisers have approximately the correct number of men for the reduced complements approved for these ships. During the recent cruise, they carried in addition an overall surplus for training of 3 per cent. Owing to releases, there is at present an overall shortage of men in the Navy qualified at specialist schools, and the Home Fleet cruisers are 28 per cent. under-borne in the higher gunnery, torpedo, and communication specialist qualifications. I regret it would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the first part of the Question.