§ MR. KEARLEYTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that from fourteen to twenty-one days elapse before vacancies caused by the retirement of lieutenants promoted from the chief warrant officer's list are filled by the promotion of other chief warrant officers; and, if so, whether steps can be taken in advance to ascertain the fitness of officers to fill these vacancies and so obviate this delay as in the case of senior officers of the Fleet.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) It generally takes a few days to make inquiries before an officer is selected for promotion to the rank of lieutenant; but it should be pointed out that as the seniority of the officer promoted is dated from the day on which the vacancy occurs he is not under any pecuniary 29 disadvantage. An effort will, however, be made to shorten the interval as much as possible.