§ 24. Commander Bowerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether promotions of younger Naval Captains to the Flag list, under the Order in Council, dated 4th April, 1941, will be made half- yearly or at any time; and whether it is the intention of the Board of Admiralty of make wide use of the power conferred on it?
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Captain Austin Hudson)Promotion will normally be made half-yearly; as regards the second part of the Question I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Answer which my right hon. Friend gave him on 23rd April.
§ Commander BowerWill my hon. and gallant Friend urge upon the First Lord of the Admiralty that the success of this scheme will depend upon its being applied widely and boldly, and not in the way of an occasional promotion as a sort of sop to public opinion?
§ Captain HudsonYes, Sir.
§ 25. Commander Bowerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the 422 intention of the Board to lower substantially the ages of the promotion zones for officers, to the rank of Commander and Captain respectively, in order to ensure a constant normal supply of young captains and Flag officers?
§ Captain HudsonNo, Sir. The period for which officers must serve in the rank of either lieutenant-commander or commander before receiving further promotion cannot be reduced, but when the present regulations have taken full effect it will be possible for outstanding officers to reach Flag rank in the very early forties.