§ MR. VANS AGNEWasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is the case that of the Commanders whose names now stand on the Active List of the Royal Navy only 11 per cent of those who attained that rank in the five years 1870–74 inclusive had served for more than twelve years as Lieutenants; that of those who attained that rank in the three following years, 1875–7 inclusive, 52 per cent had served more than twelve years as Lieutenants; and that in last year twelve out of seventeen, or 70 per cent of the Commanders of 1877, had served more than twelve years as Lieutenants; and, whether he is of opinion that this progressive retardation of promotion is injurious to the service, and if he proposes to take any steps to give a more rapid flow of promotion to Officers in the lower ranks of the Royal Navy than is possible under the rules now in force?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am free to admit that the hon. Gentleman's figures are nearly, although not quite, correct; and that while only 11 per cent of Lieutenants promoted to be Commanders between 1870 and 1874 had more than 12 years' seniority, 52 per cent of those promoted between 1875–7 had served more than 12 years, and 65 per cent of those promoted in 1877. I must also acknowledge that delay in promotion is injurious to the Service, as it is most desirable that young and vigorous men should be found in the ranks of commanders and captains. The difficulty arises from the fact that a larger number of officers is required in the junior ranks of the Service than can be provided for in the higher ranks; but I am afraid I am not prepared to swell the number of the higher ranks beyond the real requirements of the Service. All I can promise is that, recognizing the evil, I will give the subject my best consideration, with the view of seeing whether a remedy can be devised.