§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there is considerable disparity between the time taken for an executive petty officer to reach the rank of chief petty officer as compared with the stoker petty officer; and whether the Board of Admiralty will take into consideration that a man's pension is measured by the length of time he serves as a chief petty officer and endeavour to accelerate the promotions in the executive branch of the active service ranks who are younger than the peace age of retirement?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number of chief petty officers must be governed by the actual requirements of the Service, and uniformity in the various classes as regards opportunities for such advancements is not therefore possible. The question of accelerating, so far as practicable, promotion in the seamen class is one that has already been receiving the attention of the Admiralty, and measures have recently been taken which will provide opportunities of advancement at an earlier age to the higher rates.