§ Mr. FALLEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if colour-sergeants who completed time for pensions prior to the 27th August, 1915, are eligible for promotion to warrant officers, Class II., seeing that this rank was granted to the corresponding Army rank by A.O. 70, February, 1915; if colour-sergeants who have been employed as company sergeants during their twenty-one years' service, but became supernumerary before August, 1915, can be promoted to warrant officer rank, as is the case with those colour-sergeants who have not been appointed company sergeants, but who became supernumerary since August, 1915; and, seeing that quartermaster-sergeants who completed twenty-one years' service before August, 1915, have been classed as warrant officers, Class II., if the same rank can be given to colour-sergeants who have held the appointment of company sergenats, and have completed time for pension since A.O. 70 came into force in February, 1915?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAColour-sergeants who completed time for pension prior to 27th August, 1915, are eligible for promotion to warrant officer, Class II., if still serving, when recommended by their commanding officer for special or distinguished service. The number of colour-sergeants authorised for promotion to warrant officer, Class II., is limited to the number required for appointment to company sergeant-major, and these have been selected from lists of the most suitable colour-sergeants recommended by their respective commanding officers. The rank of warrant officer, Class II., in the Royal Marines was instituted by Order in Council of 10th November, 1915, with effect from 27th August, 1915.