§ 27. Major Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can now say when those commissioned warrant officers who have passed the requisite examinations will be promoted to lieutenant; and if he is aware that all other naval officers are promoted as soon as the requisite examinations are passed?
§ Mr. AMERYMy hon. and gallant Friend appears to be misinformed as to the nature of the scheme of promotion referred to in the first part of the question. It was never intended that the officers who pass the examinations in question should be immediately promoted, and it was definitely stated when the scheme was announced that promotion would be by selection in conjunction with seniority. An early announcement will be made of the date of the first promotions under this scheme. I might add, as regards the second part of the question, that officers who have to pass qualifying examinations for a senior rank in some 1086 cases have to wait years until they reach a sufficiently high place in the seniority list of their existing rank.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs it not the fact that the Admiralty Order stated that these promotions would be made half-yearly, and can the hon. Gentleman give me a date on which I can repeat the question?
§ Mr. AMERYI am afraid I cannot give an exact date; but as early as possible an announcement will be made as to the promotions under the scheme.