§ 58. Mr. HOHLERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will grant to the warrant and chief writers facilities for promotion to the commissioned rank of assistant paymaster similar to those granted to seamen and the engineer branches of His Majesty's Navy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As I have indicated in previous replies to questions on this subject, the general 726 question of providing the necessary number of officers for the accountant branch to meet the normal requirements of the Service was under the consideration of the Admiralty when War broke out, but was deferred in common with a number of others. I am afraid that I cannot give any undertaking in regard to the particular matter referred to in the hon. Member's question, the consideration of which could scarcely be dissociated from the general question. I may, perhaps, point out that commissioned warrant rank for writers has recently been established, and that the establishment of warrant writers, of whom twenty-seven are at present borne, has been increased.
§ Mr. HOHLERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many chief artificer engineers, artificer engineers, or engine-room artificers have been appointed engineer-lieutenants since the outbreak of the War; how many temporary engineer-lieutenants have been appointed during the like period; and why the regular engineering staff of His Majesty's Navy have not had a larger share of these appointments?
§ Dr. MACNAMARATwelve chief artificer engineers have been promoted to engineer-lieutenant since the commencement of the War. During the same period there have also been forty-two promotions of artificer engineers or engine-room artificers to acting mate (E), from which rank promotion to engineer-lieutenant will follow in due course, subject to the necessary requirements being fulfilled. Ninety-six temporary engineer-lieutenants have been entered for the period of the War. The latter appointments have been made to meet special requirements caused by the War, and are for the War period only, whereas the promotions previously enumerated are permanent, and affect only the permanent engineer personnel of the Navy. Appointments and promotions in the permanent Naval Service are governed purely by the permanent requirements of particular classes of officers in that Service, and it is considered that to introduce the system of promoting a man to officer's rank temporarily, which is the hon. Member's suggestion, would be very undesirable.