§ 69. Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Defence what percentage of commissioned officers now serving in each of the Armed Forces, respectively, won promotion from the ranks or lower deck.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe figures are 32 per cent. in the Royal Navy, 60 per cent. in the Army and 64 per cent. in the R.A.F. They exclude National Service officers but include officers who were sent to officer cadet schools during the war or since without having completed their initial training in the ranks. In the time available it has not been possible to identify these officers. I hope that it will prove possible to do so without disproportionate labour, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member when the investigation has been completed.