§ 20. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of sublieutenants, Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve, promoted to the rank of lieutenant after attending a course in a shore establishment since the out-break of hostilities, giving the length of service and qualifications in each case?
§ Mr. ChurchillThe number of former members of the Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve who have been promoted to the rank of temporary lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, after a period of preliminary training, is about 400. The length of the training course has varied according to the qualifications which the officer already possessed and the appointment for which he was required.
§ 21. Sir P. Hannonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of temporary lieutenants over 35 years of age at present serving in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; how many of these 742 officers served in the Great War, 1914–18; and whether they can now be prompted to temporary lieutenant-commanders when recommended by their commanding officers and performing duties commensurate with that rank?
§ Mr. ChurchillI regret that the information asked for by my hon. Friend in the first part of his Question is not available. Certain temporary officers are already serving in the rank of lieutenant-commander where their duties merit this rank, and such promotions will continue to be made in suitable cases.
§ Sir P. HannonIn considering promotions, will service rendered by these officers in the last war be taken into account? Is it not rather embarrassing for these officers, in view of their services in the last war, to have young officers, with a comparatively short period of training, over them?
§ Mr. ChurchillYes, Sir. That problem is not confined to this class of officers or to the Admiralty, but certainly those, and other, aspects have to be taken into account in connection with promotions which are made in the emergency of war.