§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why only one chief artificer-engineer has been promoted to engineer-lieutenant since the 26th January last to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of six engineer-lieutenants since the date mentioned; and if the failure to promote these officers is causing them disappointment and is considered by them as a breach of faith?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOf the six engineer-lieutenants apparently referred to, two reached their age for retirement in 1915 and 1918, respectively, and two chief artificer-engineers were then promoted in the vacancies, although the engineers-lieutenants continued to serve until the end of the War. Of the other four vacancies, one has been filled, an officer has just been selected to fill another, and the other two are reserved for young warrant officers who have to pass a qualifying examination before promotion. This reservation of a proportion of promotions for younger warrant officers is,1848W I am advised, in accordance with the general Regulations on Promotion of Warrant Officers which were promulgated to the Fleet in September, 1918.
§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state why Chief Artificer - Engineer Frederick Hubert Williams has been passed over for promotion, seeing that this officer has served with credit in the Royal Naval Air Service, and is at present serving with the rank of flight-captain in the Royal Naval Air Force, Technical E, and that when volunteers were called for the Royal Naval Air Force a promise was given that such service should in no way interfere with his promotion in the Royal Navy?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOfficers of the Naval Service who are attached to the Royal Air Force are not eligible for promotion while so serving, as they are not available for duty in the Royal Navy in the higher rank. But in the event of their returning to the naval Service they will be regarded as eligible for promotion from the date on which their turn arrived.