HC Deb 23 March 1938 vol 333 cc1188-9
31. Mr. Parker

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the increased number of lieutenancies to be awarded to warrant rank; the age at which long and zealous service lieutenancies are now obtained; the age at which it is hoped they will be attained in future; and whether observing that the service as commissioned warrant officer is longer than that of warrant officer, he will arrange to have accelerated promotion in the senior as well as the junior rank?

Mr. Shakespeare

The increased number of lieutenants ex-warrant rank in the executive, engineering and artificer branches will be about 30. The increase in the accountant branches will be 12. The age for promotion to lieutenant for long and zealous service in the executive branches now varies between the ages of 45 and nearly 50, the average age being about 47½. It will be possible under the new scheme of promotion from warrant rank for an officer to be selected for promotion to lieutenant after only five years as commissioned officer from warrant rank. As a result, an officer in the executive branch would be able to reach the rank of lieutenant through warrant rank at the age of 38, though the average age will necessarily be higher.

Branch. Number of Promotions from Commissioned Warrant Rank in 1935. Number of Promotions from Commissioned Warrant Rank in 1936 with dates of Promotion and ages of the Officers when promoted. Number of Promotions from Commissioned Warrant Rank in 1937 with dates of Promotion and ages of the Officers when promoted.
Age. Age.
Paymaster Lieut. (ex Cd. Wtr.). Nil. 8 20 March 49
28 March 49
12 June 49
12 August 49 2 1 July 48
28 August 49 2 August 47
5 October 48
28 November 48
8 December 48
Paymaster Lieut. (ex Cd. S. O.). Nil. 3 18 January 49 3 7 February 48
9 April 49 26 February 48
16 June 48 9 April 48
Paymaster Cook). Lieut. (ex Cd. Cook). Nil. Nil. 1 4 January 47