§ 80. Sir F. FLANNERYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if promotion in every rank and rating up to the rank of post-captain is by merit and selection; if promotion above that rank in the 1123 Navy still continues to be made by seniority alone; and, seeing that that system of seniority has been in use for three centuries, whether, in view of the changed conditions of naval service, a reform will be now considered, so that all promotions to every rank shall be based upon merit and selection?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)As far as ratings are concerned, seniority plays a large part in advancement. The same is true of officers in a varying degree. In promotion from lieutenant to lieutenant-commander, for example, seniority alone is taken into account, and promotion up to fleet-paymaster in the Accountant Branch depends almost entirely on seniority. In other cases seniority plays a greater or lesser part, but it is never entirely lost sight of.
Promotion on the Flag List and from captain to rear-admiral is by seniority in the sense that when an officer reaches the top of his list he is promoted automatically in the next vacancy, but this is to some extent modified in practice by various rules as to qualifying service, retirement for non-service, etc. The Board also, in the case of an officer whom it is decided not to employ as a flag officer on the Active List, have the power to place him on the Retired List as soon as he is promoted to rear-admiral, and fill up the vacancy so caused by another promotion. This, with the power of granting higher acting rank where necessary, has been sufficient to meet present-day requirements satisfactorily.
§ General McCALMONTDo the Board make use of that power of placing rear-admirals on the Retired List?
§ Dr. MACNAMARASpeaking offhand, I should say yes.