§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that doubt exists in the minds of the men in the Navy that the new order as to men re-engaging for a further period after completing time for pension may stop promotion on the lower deck; whether he is aware that there are a number of armourer ratings who have nearly completed their first period of service who will not re-engage to complete time for pension unless some assurance is given that this order will not stop promotion; and whether he is prepared to make a definite statement upon the matter?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am not aware of any doubt existing on the subject. Reengagement for a further period of five years after completing time for pension is allowed temporarily in the case of seamen, stokers, armourers, carpenters, crew and shipwright ratings, and in each case the men are directed to be borne as additional to port numbers, an advancement being made in respect of every re-engagement in these ratings as though discharge to pension had actually been effected.