16 and 17. Sir C. KINLOCH COOKEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether he is aware that there are very few Home appointments for electricians at Devonport and Chatham and can he see his way to remedy the deficiency; whether he is aware that the number of appointments for warrant electricians authorised by Mobilisation Form 1 is 52, whereas the number of officers of the electrical branch allowed by Order in Council is only 30; and can he, see his way to do anything in the matter;
(2) whether he is aware that 51 men are now awaiting promotion in the electrical branch, and in some cases since 1917; that, owing to no promotions being made, these men are losing the advantage of time in warrant rank, which counts for a great deal when calculating time served for pension; that there is also the possibility of these men reaching the age limit and thereby becoming ineligible for promotion, and that this condition of things does not appear to happen in other branches where promotions are still 1251 taking place; and can he see his way to make a promotion for every retirement to fill the vacancy either immediately or periodically?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the three questions I asked on Monday had nothing whatever to do with these two questions to-day, and will he kindly give his mind to these two questions which are on the Paper?