§ 25. Sir W. CHEYNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the proportion of surgeon-captains to surgeon-commanders is 1 to 19, of paymaster-captains to paymaster-commanders 1 to 11, of engineer-captains to engineer-commanders 1 to 9½, and of executive captains to executive commanders 1665 5 to 9; whether he realises that this point is a serious matter for the Naval Medical Service and may markedly increase the difficulty of recruiting for that Service; whether any steps are being taken to remedy this disparity between the various branches of the Service and, at least, to place the surgeon-captains on the same basis as the paymaster and engineer-captains; and, if so, when the result will be announced?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs the answer to this question is a long one, perhaps the hon. Member will allow it to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
The following is the answer referred to:—The proportions are approximately as stated, though the proportion of Surgeon-Captains to Surgeon-Commanders is more correctly 1 to 17.4. At the present time, however, there is a considerable surplus in the number of Surgeon-Commanders and a shortage in the junior ranks, so that normally the proportion of Surgeon-Commanders would be very much less. The question of the number of higher ranks in the Naval Medical Service has been under consideration, and it has been decided to increase the number of Surgeon Rear-Admirals to 6, and the number of Surgeon-Captains to 16, excluding one officer specially promoted to that rank for services during the War. The numbers will be further considered as necessity arises, dependent in all cases on the requirements of the Naval Service. It may be pointed out that the conditions of service of Medical Officers in the Royal Navy have been very appreciably improved as a result of the recommendations of the Jerram-Halsey Committee, as not only have the rates of pay been increased, but the period of service for promotion from Surgeon-Lieutenant to Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander has been reduced from 8 years to 6 years, and similarly that for promotion from Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander to Surgeon-Commander, a reduction of 4 years in all. The earlier advancement to Surgeon-Commander thus authorised has increased the apparent disparity of numbers in the higher ranks.
§ 26. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he has any information as to the shipping captured in the Black Sea harbours by the Russian Soviet armies; and what 1666 orders have been issued to officers commanding His Majesty's ships with regard to merchant ships under the Soviet flag proceeding to sea for purposes of peaceful trade and upon their lawful occasions?
§ Mr. LONGIn Odessa, the Russian light cruiser "Admiral Nakhimoff" has been captured by the Soviet army. There is no other authentic information. The matter referred to by the hon. and gallant Member in the last part of his question is under consideration.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhen will some settlement be come to on this very important matter, and will freedom of trade for merchant ships be permitted in view of the recent declarations of the Government?
§ Mr. LONGI told the hon. Gentleman, in answer to a previous question, that everything necessary to carry out the policy of the Government will be done, and at the proper time a Government announcement will be made.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhich policy is the right hon. Gentleman referring to? There have been six since the Armistice.
§ Mr. LONGThe statement made by the hon. Gentleman was referring to the policy of the Government. He apparently knew what that policy was. He did not talk about six policies. He talked about the policy, and he has had an answer to his question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the last policy announced yesterday by the Lord Privy Seal going to be carried out by H.M. ships with the Black Sea in spirit and in letter, with reference to peaceful merchant ships?
§ Mr. LONGThe hon. and gallant Gentleman excites himself about nothing. There is no alteration in policy. The idea of six policies seems to be on his brain. The Government announced their policy, and he knows it very well. Take, for instance, the evacuation of Batum, to which he referred. He knows quite well that the policy has not been altered. That cannot be done in a moment; it has to be carried out gradually. The Government is doing whatever is necessary in order to secure that peaceful ships are allowed to carry on trade, as we have undertaken that they shall.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly tell us definitely, "Yes" or "No," has the blockade in the Black Sea ceased?
§ Mr. LONGThe hon. and gallant Gentleman, I am afraid, has not studied the peculiarities of the case. My answer is that you cannot remove a blockade in a moment.
§ Captain BENNWhy not?
§ Mr. LONGIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will take a little trouble to look into what a blockade of the Black Sea means, he will understand the peculiar conditions obtaining there now, which make it quite impossible to remove the blockade immediately. We are carrying out our policy in a straightforward way, consistently with our promise.