10. Rear-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the present proportions of officers with the rank of lieutenant and lieutenant-commander who can attain the rank of commander?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)At present and for the next three or four years only about 40 per cent, of lieutenant-commanders entering the zone of promotion can expect to be promoted to commander. After that, if no further reductions are made in the personnel, it is expected that about 50 per cent, of those entering the zone will be promoted. During recent years entries of cadets have been restricted, so that it is hoped that when they enter the zone a substantially higher proportion of them will ultimately reach the rank of commander, probably about 55 per cent.
11. Rear-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the present proportions of officers of the rank of commander who can attain the rank of captain?
Lord STANLEYAbout 50 per cent, of the officers now passing out of the zone of promotion from commander to captain reach the latter rank. Since December, 1926, the number of lieutenant-commanders promoted to commander was increased to 50 a year, and therefore, of these officers, who are now effectively entering the zone of promotion, only about 40 per cent, will reach the rank of captain, so long as present conditions are maintained.
12. Rear-Admiral CAMPBELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long a captain serves in that rank; and how much sea-time in command of a ship a captain can now expect during his service?
Lord STANLEYCaptains are at present serving a little over 12 years in that rank before promotion to rear-admiral. As regards the second part of the question, sea command time for a captain varies from three to five years. The possibility of increasing the amount of sea-time for those captains whom it is anticipated will serve later as Flag Officers is receiving earnest consideration.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERWould it not be possible, by cutting down the number of admirals, who have already had their careers in the Service, to accelerate promotion and give careers to those hundreds of younger officers who have served through the War and who deserve to have careers in the Royal Navy?
Lord STANLEYI would like to assure my hon. and gallant Friend that everything possible is being done to accelerate promotion, but I am sure that he will understand the difficulties which lie in the way.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWWill the Noble Lord consider altering the scheme of promotion to flag rank, so that officers who have only five years in the rank of captain, if they are especially brilliant, can be selected for flag rank?