§ 25. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how candidates for mate are selected; whether men are accepted as candidates on the recommendation of a superior officer without any action being taken by the ratings themselves; or whether ratings are allowed and encouraged to come forward as candidates and then their suitability for commissioned rank is considered?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe arrangements are that ratings of the branches eligible who have obtained a first class certificate in the higher educational test, and who have reached leading rate, or have fully 2268 qualified for advancement to that rate, are encouraged to come forward as candidates, provided that they can be recommended by the captain of a seagoing ship and are able to pass the pre scribed seamanship examination. The names of candidates are first considered by port, fleet or squadron committees, by whom a preliminary selection is made. The names of those recommended by the commitees are then forwarded to the Admiralty where the final selection is made. The details of the arrangements will be found in Appendix X, Part IIA, of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions.