§ MR. YOXALLTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if a circular concerning the conditions of recent promotions of naval schoolmasters to be head schoolmasters and head schoolmasters to be chief schoolmasters is to be promulgated; and, if so, when; whether any improvements as to pay, pension, widows' pension, and warrant rank are to be made; and whether it is proposed to improve the status and pay of the naval schoolmasters technically so-called.
(Answered by MR. Pretyman.) A circular letter to the Fleet on the subject of chief and head schoolmasters has been prepared and will be issued shortly. It will contain full particulars of the new commissioned rank of chief schoolmaster. As regards the existing warrant rank of head schoolmaster the number of officers has been increased, their status raised, and the scale of widows' pensions improved. Instructional allowances also have been attached to certain appointments open to officers of this grade. Full particulars of those changes will be included in the forthcoming circular letter.