§ 11. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the accountant branch of the Royal Navy being the only body of men in the Navy, Army, or Air Force in which, during the War, no active service writer ratings could by ability and the recommendations of flag officers rise to commissioned or even warrant rank, the Admiralty will take the necessary steps to afford writers, Royal Navy, equal opportunity with other ratings to reach both these ranks and at an early age: and, when introducing the mate rank into the accountant branch, will the Admiralty take into consideration, when assessing the numbers, the disability of promotion referred to?
§ Mr. AMERYAs regards the statement made in the first part of the question, the hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The pre-War establishment of Warrant Writers was 15. In the course of the War these numbers were increased to 10 Paymaster-Lieutenants and 100 Commissioned and Warrant Writers. Of these a certain number were special promotions to warrant rank for meritorious service. The numbers of promotions to warrant and commission rank in the various branches and the age at which they are made must depend mainly on service requirements. The Admiralty is of opinion that in these respects, the Writer Branch enjoys adequate opportunity and is not at a disadvantage compared with other branches generally. The establishment of a mate rank in the Accountant Branch has been fully considered, and it has been decided not to introduce it.