§ 81. General McCALMONTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether an officer of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve holding the temporary rank of lieutenant-commander was recently promoted temporary commander and acting captain on the same day; if so, whether promotion to such a rank is usually reserved as a reward for service in action; and whether he will state the combatant services for which this officer has been selected for this promotion?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)An officer holding the acting rank of Commander, R.N.V.R., but whose substantive rank was that of temporary Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.V.R., was recently confirmed in his rank as temporary Commander, R.N.V.R., and given the acting rank of Captain, R.N.V.R., and this presumably is the case to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. It has never been the practice to limit such promotions to cases in which services have been rendered in action, and the last part of the question does not, therefore, arise. I may add, however, that the officer in question holds an important post, which he fills with marked ability, and the promotion was decided upon only after very careful consideration.
§ General McCALMONTIs there another instance in which an officer has been promoted to acting rank since the War, except for service in action, and, if so, is it not unfair that those who have been in action should see a man with no sea service at all so promoted?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere have been cases in which acting rank of captain has been conferred for service other than service rendered in action.