§ 9. Mr. Parkerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of writer and 334 supply ratings, respectively, who have passed the higher educational test for officer rank; and the number of each branch between the ages of 24 and 30 who have qualified professionally for officer rank; and his objections to a scheme of early promotion to commissioned rank for these branches, observing that such a scheme was instituted in the Royal Australian Navy 11 years ago, and that in the British Navy last year 26 ratings in other branches were promoted to commissioned rank?
Mr. CooperAs there is no scheme for the direct promotion of ratings in the writer and supply branches to commissioned rank, the question of their being qualified either professionally or educationally for that rank does not arise. With regard to the third part of the question, the hon. Member will observe that, in the reply given to him on this subject on 17th February, 1937, it was stated that commissioned officers of the accountant branch are required to supervise the activities of several specialised branches, and that it would take a rating promoted from the lower deck at least 2½ years to learn these duties. After careful consideration, the Admiralty have reached the conclusion that a special scheme for the instruction of ratings in these duties would not be justified. I hope, however, to make an announcement in the course of the Debate on the Navy Estimates regarding improved prospects of promotion of accountant branch ratings to commissioned rank through warrant rank.