§ 34. Major Bruceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of commissions granted from 23rd October, 1946, to date, in the electrical branch, and indicate how many of these came from the lower deck and the branch from which they came.
Mr. DugdaleSix commissions have been granted in the electrical branch from 23rd October, 1946, to date. All six were warrant electrical officers promoted direct to the rank of lieutenant (L). Three of the six were formerly telegraphist ratings, two electrical artificers and one a torpedo rating. In addition, 32 officers already commissioned were transferred to the electrical branch during the same period from other branches of the R.N. and from the R.N.V.R., including seven R.N. officers who began their career on the lower deck, three as telegraphist ratings and four as torpedo ratings.
§ Major BruceDoes my hon. Friend regard this state of affairs as giving ample opportunity for promotion from the lower deck in this new branch, as he indicated on 23rd October, 1946?
Mr. DugdaleCertainly, Sir. I may add that we are hoping to increase the number who are to be promoted from the lower deck. As an example, seven radio mechanics are now being considered for promotion to acting sub-lieutenant this year, under the scheme of direct promotion.
§ Mr. KingDoes not the solution of this question lie less with the Admiralty than with the Ministry of Education, and is it not evidence of the wisdom of raising the school-leaving age?
§ Sir A. SalterWill the hon. Gentleman protect his Department against pressure which will be likely to reduce standards of efficiency?
Mr. DugdaleI would like to make it quite clear that our first consideration is obviously that we should have efficient officers. I do not think that they should be limited to either one class or another.