§ CAPTAIN VERNEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, The date of the Order No. 252, page 60, of the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions:—
Chief and other Gunners, Boatswains and Carpenters, of exemplary conduct, who may distinguish themselves by acts of gallantry and daring in the Service, shall be considered eligible to hold Commissions in Her Majesty's Fleet, in such other rank or position as the Admiralty may deem them, after undergoing an examination, worthy to receive and competent to fill;and, whether he will lay upon the Table of this House, a Return showing—the names of the Warrant Officers who have been promoted under this Order up to the 1st day of January, 1886; the other 1765 ranks or positions for which they have received Commissions; a short summary of the acts of gallantry and daring by which they have distinguished themselves; and, whether these acts of gallantry and daring were performed afloat or on shore with a Naval Brigade?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT)The Order referred to by the hon. and gallant Member was established by Order in Council of April, 1853. No promotions appear to have been made under that Order. It may be mentioned that by Order in Council of July 9, 1864, chief gunners, chief boatswains, and chief carpenters were established to be commissioned officers; and although promotion to these positions is not made on account of acts of gallantry only, the existence of the "chief" rank may have been one reason why promotion for gallantry under the Order of 1853 has remained a dead letter.