§ 77. Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a number of Royal Marine gunners were recommended for promotion to commissioned rank during the War, but were not promoted because they could not be spared from their particular work during hostilities, and, in consequence, warrant and non-commissioned officers were promoted to commissioned rank over their heads; and, if so, whether there is any prospect of early promotion for these officers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)At the outbreak of war it was found that a large number of additional officers were required immediately, principally for duty in the field as company commanders and for certain shore batteries It was, I am advised, impossible to select these officers to any large extent from the Royal Marine gunners. It was, therefore, decided to select only a limited number of Royal Marine gunners for commissions, and the remainder were chosen from the best of the Royal Marine warrant and non-commissioned officers, the majority of whom were senior in the corps to the non-commissioned officers who had been appointed Royal Marine gunners. It cannot, therefore, be said that they were promoted over the heads of the Royal Marine gunners.