§ 27. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when Commander Briggs and Commander Smyth Osborne were appointed as wing commanders, there were none of the pioneer officers of the Royal Naval Air Service on the squadron commander's list worthy of promotion to wing commanders, and who is responsible for the system of passing over the flying officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe pioneer officers of the Air Service are, generally speaking, young officers with little experience outside actual flying. The Board of Admiralty which is responsible for all promotions in the Royal Naval Air Service is perfectly satisfied as to the appointments of the officers in question, and the services of the pioneer officers have not been overlooked.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSDoes Commander Osborne know anything about the Royal Naval Air Service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should think so.
§ 28. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the rate of pay of a commander, second in command of a ship; what is the rate of pay of a wing commander in the Royal Naval Air craft Service; and whether the wing commander's extra pay is in consequence of the risks and experience needed in the Air Service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe pay of a commander second in command of a ship is 22s. a day. He is entitled, in addition, to an allowance of 5s. a day if serving in a ship bearing the flag of a commander-in-chief, or 2s. 6d. a day if serving in a 795 ship bearing any other flag or broad pennant. The pay of a wing commander, Royal Naval Air Service, is 40s. a day. The rate is inclusive, nothing additional, either in the form of command money, or specialist allowance, or flying pay, being payable. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs the extra pay for great experience in flying, and have those two officers that great experience of flying?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIt arises out of the two questions.
§ 29. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what air experience had Commander Briggs and Commander Smyth Osborne when they were recently graded to the rank of wing commander over the heads of all other flying officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThese officers have taken their pilot's certificate, though they had little air experience when graded. They possess, however, other special qualifications.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHave they qualifications which entitle them to the rates of pay?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf they are wing commanders they get 40s. a day.