§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the services that have been rendered by the officers remaining out of the first hundred supplementary officers who entered the Navy many years ago from the mercantile marine, whether the Board can see their way to extending the services for which they can receive promotion, so that they can enjoy facilities similar to those enjoyed by officers who remained in the Royal Naval Reserve?
§ Mr. PRETYMANOfficers on the Supplementary List entered under the provisions of Order in Council of the 29th June, 1895, may be promoted at the discretion of the Admiralty to the active list of commanders for distinguished service during war operations, and three such officers have been so promoted during the present War. Royal Naval Reserve officers who, when on actual service in the Fleet, greatly distinguish themselves in action with the2172W enemy, or who may by the character or length of that service obtain the special approbation of the Admiralty, are eligible to receive commissions as officers in the Royal Navy of the same grade as that with which they may rank at the time. In time of war, therefore, the facilities enjoyed by officers on the Supplementary List for reaching the rank of Commander, R.N., are greater than those possessed by officers who remained in the Royal Naval Reserve. My hon. and gallant Friend possibly has in mind the promotion of Royal Naval Reserve officers to the rank of Commander, R.N.R., and Captain, R.N.R., but a comparison cannot fairly be made between the promotion of officers in the R.N.R. and that of supplementary officers in the Royal Navy, the circumstances and conditions of service being different.