§ 54. Commander COCHRANEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the event of an adverse confidential report which would affect his chances of 1471 promotion being made upon an officer it is obligatory for such report to be communicated to the officer in question, or whether the communication of the report is only permissive?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)The communication of confidential reports is permissive. The rule is that a reporting officer may at his discretion show a confidential report to the officer concerned, but to no one else. It is, however, also laid down as regards adverse reports that officers are to be informed of the qualities in which they are considered to be lacking and which lie within their power to remedy.
§ Commander COCHRANECould my right hon. Friend say whether the practice which he has described is followed in the Army, and, if not, what is the difference?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLI under stand the practice followed in the Army is different, but we believe that, although one can say much for either method, the balance of advantage is with us.