§ 25. Mr. Ammonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any steps are being taken so to accelerate the promotion of naval officers as to allow the more able officers to achieve Flag rank, and hold high commands at ages comparable to those of the commanders of 1914–18?
Mr. AlexanderFor some years past it has been the practice of the Admiralty to give to particularly promising lieutenant-commanders and commanders, very early promotion to the ranks of commander and captain respectively, with a view to accelerating the promotion to Flag rank of the most able officers. Similarly the number of captains who have been placed on the retired list on promotion has recently been greatly increased. The Admiralty have also taken the power to retire Flag officers and captains whom it is not intended to employ further. On the average the officers at present on the Flag list are younger than were the officers on the Flag list at the corresponding period in the last war, and for the reasons I have given this difference will become much more marked as time goes on. The Admiralty will certainly give promotion, acting or substantive, to any officer whose service during the war may give promise of his suitability for higher command.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallWill my right hon. Friend also see to it that under regulations which are already in existence men can come up from the lower deck and get advancement to commissioned rank?
Mr. AlexanderMy hon. Friend knows my interest in this matter, and perhaps as soon as I have a little time after present operations, I may be able to do something more with regard to the great work in that connection which the Prime Minister has already started.