HC Deb 04 March 1957 vol 566 cc18-20W
Mr. Steele

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the numbers of lower deck ratings categorised according to rank and branch who signed on to complete time for pension during 1956; what percentage this represents of those eligible to do so; and how those figures compare with 1955.

Mr. Soames

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Willis) on 13th February in which I explained that men on twelve-year engagements become eligible to re-engage for pension any time after the beginning of their ninth year of adult service, and numbers and percentages given for re-engagements in any one year for pension are, therefore, misleading.

The Answer to the hon. Member's question has been based, therefore, on the normal method of calculation.

The number of ratings whose first twelve-year engagement was completed in 1956, and who re-engaged to complete time for pension is shown below, together with the percentage of those eligible to do so; and the corresponding figures for 1955.
1956 1955
Branch Numbers re-engaging Percent, of eligible Numbers re-engaging Percent, of eligible
Seaman: C.P.O. 1 100 6 83
P.O. 102 58 72 53
Ldg. and below 46 21 42 21
149 37 120 35
Communications: C.P.O. 6 75
P.O. 32 33 21 17
Ldg. and below 10 10 7 8
42 21 34 16
Artificers: Chief 28 41 63 58
Lst-3rd 259 54 231 50
4th 7 35 3 25
294 53 297 51
Mechanicians and Artisians: Chief 1 100
1st 17 65 21 84
2nd and below 8 80 23 88
26 70 44 86
Engineering Mechanics: C.P.O.
P.O. 44 75 25 56
Ldg. and below 11 26 15 33
55 55 40 44
Naval Airman: C.P.O. 16 76 19 76
P.O. 42 75 24 64
Ldg. and below 6 38 7 50
64 68 50 65
Electrical C.P.O. 12 55 19 50
P.O. 21 29 20 24
Ldg. and below 6 15 8 17
39 29 47 28
Sick Berth: C.P.O.
P.O. 2 40 9 90
Ldg. and below 4 67 4 80
6 55 13 87
Supply and Secretariat: C.P.O. 9 75 8 80
P.O. 14 82 20 83
Ldg. and below 10 34 12 52
33 57 40 70
Total: C.P.O. 343 53 373 54
P.O. 272 53 217 43
Ldg. and below 93 21 95 23
708 44 685 43