§ 18. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether, just before the War, a Committee under Vice-Admiral Thursby was appointed to consider the future of the accountant rank; whether one of the recommendations of that Committee was that the promotion of junior accountant officers should be brought more into line with that of the executive officers; and will he say what steps have been taken to carry this recommendation into effect, and with what result?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs the answer to my hon. Friend's question is somewhat lengthy, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it a favourable answer?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think even my hon. and gallant Friend will agree that it is a favourable answer.
§ The following is the answer referred to:
§ A Committee, with Vice-Admiral Thursby as Chairman, was appointed in November, 1913, to consider the conditions of employment in the Accountant Branch. The Committee's recommendations with regard to promotion were that promotion in the branch should take place as follows, subject to the officers being recommended and deserving, and passing the necessary examinations:
§ After six months' training, probationary clerk to clerk.
§ Clerk to assistant paymaster after three and a half years from date of entry into the Service.
§ Assistant paymaster to paymaster after three years' seniority as assistant paymaster.
§ Paymaster to staff paymaster after eight years' seniority as paymaster.
§ Staff paymaster to fleet paymaster after eight years' seniority as staff paymaster.
§ Fleet paymaster to chief paymaster by selection as vacancies occur.
§ Chief paymaster to paymaster-in-chief by selection.
§ All these recommendations have been, carried out, except that promotion from paymaster cadet, corresponding to probationary clerk, to paymaster midshipman is after one year's service, and from paymaster sub-lieutenant, corresponding to assistant paymaster, to paymaster lieutenant, corresponding to paymaster, is after four years' service. The question of reducing the amounts of service required in those cases is under consideration.
§ The promotion of paymaster lieutenant to paymaster lieutenant-commander, after eight years' service, is approved provisionally for the period of the War, at the end of which the matter is subject to reconsideration.