§ 42. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a few weeks ago eight chief artificer-engineers 27 Royal Navy, attained the rank of engineer-lieutenants, with seniority ranging from 1912 to 1916, and four artificer-engineers, not chiefs, were promoted to engineer-lieutenants, their seniority ranging from 1909 to 1915; and, if so, will he take an early opportunity of explaining how it, happened that a statement was made recently on behalf of the Admiralty to the effect that it usually takes ten years for artificer-engineers, Royal Navy, to become engineer-lieutenants?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI did not state that it usually takes ten years for artificer-engineers, R.N., to become engineer-lieutenants. I did state, in reply to my hon. Friend on the 14th instant, that it usually takes ten years for a chief artificer-engineer, R.N., to become an engineer-lieutenant, R.N., and that statement is correct. I may add that recently, however, in order to meet the requirements of the Fleet, a strictly limited number of engineer warrant officers. R.N., with superior qualifications, recommended from the Fleet, were advanced to the rank of engineer-lieutenant specially. Eighteen of such promotions were made, eleven chief artificer-engineers, and seven artificer-engineers being selected, the seniority of the former ranging from 1st October, 1912, to 1st October, 1916, and of the latter from 1st April, 1908, to 15th November, 1911.