§ 21. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the rules governing the qualifying period of sea-time for promotions have been modified since before the War; and, if so, to what extent and for what reason?
Mr. DAVIDSONAs the reply is a long one, I will, with the hon. and gallant 2018 Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI do not want the whole answer, but I asked about a very simple matter, namely, whether the rules have been modified?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMight I ask a simple question? What is the reason for this modification? Is it any lack of ships at sea?
§ Following is the reply:
§ The following changes in the qualifying periods of sea-time for promotion of officers have been made since before the War:
§ Rear-Admiral.
§ Before the War, the first two years of the service necessary to qualify for advancement to Flag rank had to be in command of a ship-of-war at sea. This was cancelled in 1922, in view of the administrative difficulties in arranging for a captain's first appointment to be, as far as possible, to a sea-going command. The qualification requiring three years' total service in command of a ship-of-war at sea before promotion, however, remains
§ Engineer Captain.
§ Before the War, one of the qualifications for promotion to engineer captain was two years in a sea-going ship as engineer-commander or engineer-lieutenant-commander (or engineer-lieutenant senior list) in charge of engines. Since the War it has been laid down that one of the two years must be in the rank of engineer-commander, since otherwise the last sea service might have been rendered some considerable time ago and in a less responsible capacity.
§ Engineer-Lieut.-Commander (or Lieut., Senior List).
§ Now promoted after eight years' seniority.
§ Before the War, one of the qualifications for promotion to Engineer-Lieutenant (Senior List) was service as watchkeeper for not less than three years as Engineer-Lieutenant or Engineer-Sub-Lieutenant on board sea-going ships.
2019§ This change was made in order to bring engineer officers into line with executive officers as regards promotion to Lieutenant-Commander's rank.
§ Surgeon-Commander or Fleet-Surgeon.
§ Pre-War, three years at sea.
§ Now, two years at sea.
§ Surgeon-Lieut.-Commander or Staff-Surgeon.
§ Pre-War, three years at sea.
§ Now, two years at sea.
§ These changes were made in consequence of the administrative difficulties in arranging for the larger amount of sea service with the reduced periods for which officers now serve in the rank of Surgeon-Lieutenant and Surgeon-Lieutenant-Commander (normally six years instead of eight in each case).
§ Commissioned Officers from Warrant Rank.
§ No sea service laid down before the War.
§ Now, five years at sea as warrant officer, unless the conditions in a particular branch render such a period of service impossible.
§ A period of service at sea is thought desirable both as being of value professionally and as ensuring that each warrant officer does his share of sea time.