3. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the prospects for the promotion of branch officers to lieutenant.
§ Mr. CallaghanMost branch officers who serve to the age of 50 become lieutenants before reaching that age. In the past three years under one per cent. have failed to do so.
Surgeon Lieut.-Commander BennettIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many branch officers, to my knowledge, are feeling very insecure about promotion to lieutenant in view of the fact that they have to wait a very long time, apparently, before being considered, and that they are then old to be lieutenants, which makes them unsuitable for further promotion?
§ Mr. CallaghanI am sorry to hear that, because in fact 99 per cent. of them do attain this rank before they retire. There is not a great deal of insecurity that they need worry about.