asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of officers and number of ratings in the R.N. and the R.M. on 31st December, 1945, and on 31st December, 1946; how many ratings were demobilised, or released, from the Services during the year 1946; how many of them volunteered for further service in the R.N. or the R.M., instead of taking their discharge; and how many men, called up for National Service, were taken into the R.N. and the R.M. during the year 1946.

The numbers of officers and ratings in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on the two dates mentioned including locally entered personnel, personnel on T.124 engagements, and the Royal Marine Police, are as follow:

A. Numbers serving on 31st December, 1945
Officers	Ratings	Total.
56,000	548,000	604,000

B. Numbers serving on 31st December, 1946.
Officers	Ratings	Total.
19,000	175,000	194,000

Approximately 411,000 ratings were demobilised or released during 1946. The number of ratings due for release who volunteered for further service in the Royal Navy or the Royal Marines, including those who continued to serve for short periods, and those who accepted Extended Service or Regular engagements was about 4,000. The number of men called up for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines during 1946 was 21,600, and, in addition, rather more than 4,000 entered voluntarily for Hostilities Only engagements