§ 2. Mr. HOHLERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Admiralty ruling which defers the consideration of the advancement of naval ratings and Marines interned in Holland till after the close of the present War operates hardly on the men who would otherwise have received advancement; and will he consider whether he can modify this ruling and advance the men so interned, unless in any particular case good reason for refusing advancement is shown?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for 1947 Devonport yesterday, in which I stated that the question of the advancement of naval ratings and Marines who are prisoners of war was considered by the Admiralty early in the War, and it was decided that advancement must stand over until the end of the War. I think my hon. and learned Friend will agree that the principle governing the cases of interned men must reasonably be the same.
§ Mr. HOHLERWhat is the reason for this ruling?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not know that I can give it. It is the War Office practice. I think the War Office is reviewing the matter. Whether any change of policy will be adopted I cannot say, but I will let the hon. and learned Gentleman know.
§ Mr. HOHLERDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the hardship inflicted on long service men in the Navy by this ruling They will lose all the chance of preferment.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is the ground on which the hon. and learned Gentleman calls my attention to the matter.