§ 12. Lieut.-Commander BOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many flag officers have been passed over in order to facilitate promotion of younger officers since 7th March, 1932; and whether these officers are being placed on the retired list or retained on the active list?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLThe policy which I mentioned, in presenting the Navy Estimates on 7th March, 1932, means that preference is being given to the more junior flag officers for certain naval appointments, although some senior officers on account of their high attainments and distinguished records, 343 would otherwise certainly be considered. Obviously I cannot enumerate the officers who have thus been passed over. No special steps have been taken to place any of these officers on the Retired List. The policy has not yet been in being long enough to have had any effect on the flow of promotion, but in due course this will accelerate the promotion of younger officers.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERCan my right hon. Friend say whether it has been taken into consideration that those senior officers have already had accelerated promotion owing to the War, whereas the junior officers, who also served through the War, have had their promotion retarded by as much as six and seven years?