§ Major HORE - BELISHAasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the average number of years' service after which men were promoted to the rank of petty officer and chief petty officer in the seamen and stoker branches, respectively, in the year 1903, in the year 1914, and in the years 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923, respectively; the percentage of these petty officers and chief petty officers who attained to their maximum rates of pay as laid down in the Navy list before being retired on pension in each of the years mentioned; and, if any stagnation in promotion is revealed, having regard to the most recent figures, whether there is any reason why a system of extra pay should not be universally instituted for those who have passed all necessary examinations for higher rating, in order that all ratings may have adequate encouragement and compensation for their inability, owing to circumstances beyond their control, to rise with that rapidity to which their capacities entitle them?
1559W
§ Mr. AMMONWith regard to the first and second parts of the question, I am afraid the figures asked for could not in any case be obtained without an altogether disproportionate amount of labour and in some cases they could not be obtained at all. With regard to the third part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to my reply of the 8th instant.