§ 25. Mr. W. H. Greenasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to what improved conditions, financial and otherwise, it is intended to introduce for warrant rank in order to overcome the breakdown in the supply of candidates for gunner, gunner (T), and boatswain?
Lord StanleyI regret that I am unable to add at present to the answer given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on 17th February.
§ 28. Mr. Parkerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ratings promoted to sub-lieutenant in the years 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively, who received their early naval training at the Gosport training establishment, His Majesty's Ship "St. Vincent," and the Shotley establishment, His Majesty's Ship "Ganges"; also the number of these officers who received their pre-naval training at the Royal Hospital School, on board the training ships "Mercury," "Warspite," "Arethusa," and "Exmouth"; and whether, in view of the low numbers from the latter establishments, more commissions will be awarded to their boys in future?
Lord StanleyAs the reply involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The selection of candidates for commissioned rank can only be made from the most suitable ratings, wherever they may have been trained.
§ Following is the information required:
| Sub-Lieutenants promoted from Lower Deck. | ||||||
| Year. | Number of ratings promoted to Sub-Lieutenant. | Number who received training as rating in His Majesty's Ships | Pre-Naval training in Training Ships, etc. | |||
| "Ganges." | "St. Vincent." | |||||
| 1933 | … | … | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 (" Arethusa"). |
| 1934 | … | … | 5 | 4* | * | 1 (Greenwich Hospital School). |
| 1 (Lanes, and National Sea Training Homes). | ||||||
| 1935 | … | … | 3 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1936 | … | … | 4 | — | 4 | 1 ("Arethusa"). |
| NOTE.—* One rating also served a short time in His Majesty's Ship "St. Vincent." |
§ 29. Mr. Parkerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the failure of the majority of boys, recommended as likely candidates for commissioned rank from the training establishments, to obtain commissions at the same age as public school cadets, as intended under the sub-lieutenant scheme, he will institute a scheme of promotion from boy to cadet on similar lines to that for the promotion of artificer apprentices to cadet (E)?
Lord StanleyThe present scheme for the promotion of ratings from the lower deck to acting sub-lieutenant is devised to bring the ages of ratings so selected into line with those of cadet officers. Up to the present the ratings promoted have, however, been somewhat above the normal age for cadet entered officers and the matter is amongst those now receiving attention. It is not proposed to adopt the scheme suggested in the last part of the question.
Mr. AlexanderWhat is the main reason for the severe falling-off in the number of men promoted to officer rank from the lower deck in the last three years?
Lord StanleyThat is what the Admiralty is taking steps to find out, and is the object of the consideration which is being given to the matter now.
§ 30. Mr. Parkerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of writer and supply ratings, respectively, between the ages of 24 and 30 (the ages between which reserve accountant officers are to join the Navy) who have passed the higher educational test for officer rank, and who have qualified professionally for warrant 348 officer, respectively; and whether, in view of the large experience and high qualifications of these ratings, he will reconsider the previous Admiralty decision, and institute a scheme of early promotion to commissioned rank for accountant branch ratings on the same lines as the systems for seamen ratings, engine-room artificers, and Royal Marines?
Lord StanleyFive supply ratings and 15 writer ratings between the ages of 24 and 30 are at present fully qualified for promotion to warrant supply officer and warrant writer respectively. 166 supply ratings and 142 writer ratings have passed the higher educational test. It is not possible without considerable investigation to indicate how many of these ratings are between the ages of 24 and 30. I will again consider the possibility of instituting a system of early promotion to commissioned rank for these and other ratings of the accountant branch.