§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of promotions from warrant officers, petty officers, and seamen to the rank of mate, apart from mates (E), from 1913, when the rank was revived, until the end of the War period; how many mates were killed in the War; and how many of the gentlemen surviving are still on the active list with the rank of commander or higher rank?
Mr. ALEXANDER371 promotions to the rank of mate, excluding promotions to mate (E), were made from 1913 to the 11th November, 1918. Of this number, 16 were killed during the War and three are still on the active list with the rank of commander.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill my right hon. Friend look into the question of mates, in view of the slowness of promotion?
Mr. ALEXANDERAs I said last week, the number promoted to higher rank than lieutenant-commander is necessarily small at present. I may add that, in addition to the three commanders I have mentioned, there are three lieutenant-commanders with four and a-half to six years' seniority in the upper half of the promotion zone, 20 with two and a-half to four and a-half years' seniority in the lower half of the promotion zone, and 31 with less than two and a-half years' seniority who are below the promotion zone.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes my right hon. Friend realise that those who went through the War, particularly, have not received any very large proportion of the promotions, and will he look into the matter?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling that facilities for promotion from the lower deck are not adequate, and will be appoint a Committee to look into this question in order to remove the grievance?
Mr. ALEXANDERThere has already been a Committee which dealt with that matter some time ago. I can make no further statement at the present time.
§ Mr. T. LEWISWill my right hon. Friend consider the desirability of having representatives of the ranks in question on the Promotion Board, as I suggested on the previous occasion? I do not know whether he has considered my suggestion since?
Mr. ALEXANDERI think I told my hon. Friend on the last occasion that the whole question was being considered.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs it the right hon. Gentleman's policy to slow down promotion as well as construction?