asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ratings for whom special recommendation forms for commissioned rank now exist; and the numbers reported from the harbour training establishments and sea-going ships, respectively?

The number of ratings in question is 212; the number of reports which were started in harbour training establishments and depots is 76, and the number started in sea-going ships is 136. These numbers include both seaman and engine room ratings.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of writer and supply ratings, respectively, who have passed the higher educational rank for warrant officers; and the number of each branch between the ages of 24 and 30 who have qualified professionally for warrant rank?

One hundred and eighty writer ratings and 196 supply ratings have passed educationally for warrant rank. The number who have qualified professionally for that rank and who are between the ages mentioned by the hon. Member is 15 in the writer branch and seven in the supply branch.