HC Deb 20 January 1943 vol 386 c201
41. Sir A. Southby

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many lieutenants, Royal Navy, now hold, or have held, temporary higher rank?

Mr. George Hall

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the war period only. The number of lieutenants, Royal Navy, who have been promoted to temporary higher rank since 3rd September, 1939, is 99.

Sir A. Southby

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, where it was held before the war that command of destroyers and small craft should be held by lieut.-commanders and commanders, it is only fair that those temporary ranks should be given to lieutenants now holding commands owing to the shortage of officers of higher rank?

Mr. Hall

The number which I have given to my hon. and gallant Friend does not include R.N.R. or R.N.V.R., where there is a very large number of those officers holding the ranks to which he refers.

Sir A. Southby

My Question refers to lieutenants of the Royal Navy and not the R.N.V.R.; and is there any reason why the principle of the Army that the rank goes with the job should not be applied to the Royal Navy?

Mr. Hall

This is the naval practice, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, which has been carried out.

Sir A. Southby

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.