§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of promotions which have been made to commander's rank, military branch, from officers promoted via the mate and accelerated promotion schemes since their introduction; the number of such officers promoted to commander's rank in the engineering branch; the number promoted in all other branches via the mate and accelerated promotion schemes; whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to cease making such promotions; if not, when further such promotions will be gazetted; and what period of time may be expected to elapse between such promotions, provided eligible and suitable officers are available for promotion?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMOne promotion to commander and three to engineer-commander have been made of officers promoted through the mate schemes, which are in force only for executive and engineering officers. Officers promoted through the mate schemes are eligible for promotion by selection in competition with other officers, and it is impossible therefore to anticipate what future promotions will be made. The period of time that may be expected to elapse between such promotions is six months. The system of accelerated promotion to the rank or equivalent rank of lieutenant introduced after the War provided that promotion to commander's rank would take place by selection in conjunction with seniority from among officers of the rank or equivalent rank of lieutenant-commander. The first of the officers who received accelerated promotion to lieutenant's rank will reach the2064W rank or equivalent rank of lieutenant commander in December, 1929, and no classes who receive earlier promotion to question of promotion to commander's warrant rank invariably receive the rank arises until after that date.