§ 59. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there are any lieutenant-commanders now serving who were promoted from mates eligible for promotion to the rank of commander; and when the first promotion to commander's rank may be expected?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)None of the lieutenant-commanders promoted from mate has yet reached a sufficient seniority for him to be considered for promotion to commander. Under the Regulations, promotion to the latter rank is by selection from all the lieutenant-commanders qualified, including lieutenant-commanders ex-mate, and I cannot, nor is it desirable that I should, anticipate in any way the results of future selections.
§ Sir B. FALLEMay I ask when these gentlemen will reach sufficient seniority?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable disturbance in the minds of the ex-mates who are now approaching the promotion zone, and is he himself seeing that a proportion of these gentlemen shall receive promotion by selection?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the whole success of promotion from the ranks through the rank of mate up to commander's rank will depend upon no discouragement being given at this time through apparent neglect of this branch?
§ 60. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether lieutenants who have been promoted from the rank of mate are allowed to specialise in gunnery, torpedo, navigation, or signals; if he will state the number of lieutenants now serving who were mates; and whether any applications to specialise have been received from any of these officers?
Mr. DAVIDSONLieutenants promoted from mate are eligible in exceptional cases for selection to specialise in the subjects mentioned. There are now serving 43 lieutenant-commanders and 68 lieutenants promoted from mate, of whom eight have applied to specialise in the subjects mentioned, namely, three in gunnery, two in torpedo, two in navigation, and I alternatively in torpedo or navigation. Of these eight officers, one was selected to specialise, and eventually qualified in navigation.
In subjects other than those mentioned, ex-mates have qualified as specialists in the following:
One more is qualifying as a pilot and one was killed while qualifying. In addition one ex-mate is qualifying at the Staff course.
Physical and Recreational Training 3 Submarines 5 Observer 3 Pilot 1
§ Sir B. FALLEWould my hon. Friend say what he means by"exceptional"?
§ 61. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether lieutenants and lieutenant-commanders promoted from the rank of mate are considered equally with direct entry officers for all appointments, especially those in capital ships; and whether he is aware that at present by far the greater number of officers promoted from mate are serving in definite non-promotion appointments, such as the Reserve fleet, Reserve destroyers, trawlers, and depot ships?
Mr. DAVIDSONLieutenants and lieutenant-commanders promoted from mates are considered equally with direct-entry officers for appointments for which they are suitable, having regard to their age and seniority. Owing to the later age at which they become lieutenant, these officers are old for their seniority, and to this extent the number of suitable appointments is slightly restricted, but it is not a fact that the greater number of these officers are in appointments of the nature mentioned.
§ Sir B. FALLEThen there are no exceptional qualifications required in this case, as in the last?