§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that an undertaking was given to petty officers, 2nd class, in the Royal Navy, when that rating was abolished some three years ago, to the effect that seamen holding the rating of petty officer, 2nd class, would be given preference for promotion according to 1745 seniority until that rating became non-existent in the service; that this undertaking has not been strictly observed; that cases have occurred of individuals holding the rank of leading seamen, a grade below that of petty officer, 2nd class, being promoted to the rating of petty officer, 1st class, over the heads of men holding the rating of petty officer, 2nd class; and that cases have also occurred of petty officers, 2nd class, who have passed for warrant rank, being excluded from promotion to petty officer, 1st class, in favour of leading seamen; and whether he will see that the undertaking above referred to is more stringently observed?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not aware of any such undertaking as that referred to in the first part of the question; on the contrary, in circular letter No. 96 of 1907 introducing the new scheme for naval ratings, it was distinctly specified that advancement to higher rating should continue to be by selection from petty officers and men possessing the necessary qualifications.