§ 26. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the Jerram Report, as published, contains no mention of accelerated promotion for the sick-berth staff and that, under the pre- 1985 sent system, practically 100 per cent. of the ratings cannot obtain a first triennial increment of a chief sick-berth steward, as it takes seven years for a sick-berth attendant to become a second sick-berth steward, twelve and a half years for a second sick-berth steward to become a sick-berth steward, and eighteen to nineteen years for a sick-berth steward to become a chief sick-berth steward; is he aware that at the inquiry of Surgeon-Commander Falconer Hall, Royal Navy, which was conducted thirteen months ago, a question of automatic promotion was raised, but no Report has been published in connection therewith; and will he, under these circumstances, state definitely what steps are being taken to combat this disability?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAWith the hon. Member's permission, I propose to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following is the Answer referred to:
§ The figures, as stated, regarding the periods of time in the different ratings are not correct. Those furnished by the drafting commanders to Surgeon-Commander J. Falconer Hall are as follows:
| Chatham. | Devonport. | Portsmouth. | ||||
| Yrs. | Mths. | Yrs. | Mths. | Yrs. | Mths | |
| Sink Berth Attendant to 2nd Sick Berth Steward | 3 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 2nd Sick Berth Steward to Sick Berth Steward | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| Sick Berth Steward to Chief Sick Berth Steward | 8 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 17 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 17 | 1 |
§ Steps are being taken to increase the number and appointments of chief sick-berth stewards, and this "will naturally decrease the period that men have to wait in the lower ranks.
§ The question of automatic promotion was considered by the Jerram Committee, but was not approved of by them. There have been many points raised in Surgeon-Commander J. Falconer Hall's Report, each of which required special consideration. The question of accelerated promotion is under consideration at present.