§ 24. Major HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the anxiety felt in the Royal Navy as regards the stagnation in promotion, which influences the minds not only of serving officers and men, but of prospective entrants to the Service, he will cause a Report to be prepared and issued upon the whole subject of promotion, reviewing the position of the past few years and forecasting, as far as possible, the future prospects?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)There is no general stagnation in promotion in the case of officers, although promotion in a few of the branches is to some extent affected by the special conditions which exist, while as regards men, the prospects of promotion or advancement depend on a 920 variety of considerations which it is impossible to forecast. I am afraid, therefore, that it would not be practicable to issue any useful Report on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the considerable anxiety which is felt on this subject, and would it not be possible to allay it by some scheme?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIf there were some anxiety, I would be very glad to allay it, but I do not know that that can be done by the issue of such a report as is suggested.