§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the First Lord of the Admiralty in what branch of the Navy are trawler skippers serving; what is the highest rank they can attain; whether this rank carries His Majesty's 2109W commission; and whether the same promotion is open to them as to yachtsmen commissioned, without a Board of Trade ticket, as sub-lieutenants in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve?
§ Sir V. WarrenderTrawler skippers serve in the Royal Naval Reserve and the highest rank which they can attain is that of skipper lieutenant. Skipper lieutenants are commissioned officers and they rank with lieutenants R.N.R. according to seniority. As regards the last part of the Question the number of substantive promotions to skipper lieutenant is necessarily limited, since promotion to this rank is in the nature of a reward for long service in the permanent reserve. Nevertheless a considerable number of appointments carrying the rank of acting skipper lieutenant are open both to permanent and to temporary skipper class officers R.N.R. They thus have the same facilities for promotion to the equivalent of lieutenant's rank as yachtsmen commissioned as sub-lieutenants R.N.V.R.