§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is the fact that although some of the Officers of the Naval Reserve have for sixteen years and upwards served in the rank of Lieutenant, there are no Officers of the rank of Commander in the Reserve; and, if so, whether promotion 904 to that rank will be given to any of the Officers in question, as in the other branches of the Navy; and, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Return of the numbers of the Naval Reserve, stating the class of seamen, whether 1st, 2nd, or 3rd?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, promotion to the rank of commander in the Naval Reserve, which is an honorary rank, can only be conferred on officers who have attained the age of 50, and who have distinguished themselves in action, or by their zeal in promoting the efficiency of the Reserve. Hitherto, no cases fulfilling both these conditions have been brought under the notice of the Admiralty; but any application sent through the Board of Trade on behalf of officers whose cases satisfy these requirements would meet with the favourable consideration of their Lordships. In answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, I may say that on the 28th of February last the numbers of the Royal Naval Reserve were—First Class, 12,050; Second Class, 5,496; Third Class, 111; total, 17,657.