§ 38. Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in making additions to the higher ratings of the engineering branch of the Navy it is proposed to give favourable consideration to the claims for promotion of the warrant engineers, many of whom hold the 1st class certificate of the Board of Trade and have held chief engineering ratings in addition to having undergone periodical training on board His Majesty's ships?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs already stated, the rank of warrant engineer was created in 1903 for the purpose of providing a permanent reserve of warrant officers for the engineer branch of the Royal Navy. In this capacity they are a valuable reserve, as they supply the want most felt in the Engineering Department when a sudden expansion of the Fleet becomes necessary. Temporary commissions in the Royal Naval Reserve have, as a rule, only been granted to engineers taken up with their vessels for service in the Fleet, and these officers do not serve in regular ships of war. These appointments are in no way permanent and terminate when the ship in which the officers are serving pays off.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONECould it not be possible, considering the extremely good qualifications of this type of man, to give him his chance for the period of the War?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid I cannot add anything to the earlier part of the answer.