§ 54. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent Admiralty instructions relative to accelerated advancement on the lower deck for men considered suitable for such early advancement, it is contemplated giving similar facilities to candidates for warrant rank, particularly in those branches where promotion to that rank is generally obtainable only at a late age?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe system of promotion to warrant rank in the various branches was very fully considered as recently as 1914, and the Admiralty do not propose to make any change in existing arrangements. I may add that special advancement in the case of ratings has been in force for a considerable number of years, and the recent orders have merely substituted a uniform scheme for the varying practices previously in existence at the depots.