§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the average number of years required for a sick-berth rating in the Royal Navy to reach the rank of chief petty officer is seventeen and three-quarter years, compared with twelve years for writers and ships' cooks, and six years for 2030W victualling stewards; when the Falconer Hall Committee, which sat in May, 1918, delivered its Report on this subject; and when a decision will be arrived at?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe periods of service are as stated in above question. Surgeon-Commander Falconer Hall's Report was submitted on 24th September, 1918, and the subject is still under consideration. There are a large number of difficult points involved, and the matter naturally takes some time.