§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers of gunners, commissioned gunners, and lieutenants promoted from commissioned gunner now actually borne; the number of lieutenants from the gunner branch borne who have been promoted for long and zealous service; and the number of lieutenants from the gunner branch specially promoted under the provisions of paragraph 3, Part XIA, Part XI, Vol. II, King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe total number of gunners and gunners (T) and above now borne is 928. The number of lieutenants from gunner and gunner (T) promoted for 1713W long and zealous service is 59. The number promoted through the "accelerated promotion" scheme is 11.
§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there are sufficient commissioned gunners and gunners at present undergoing the prescribed courses for accelerated promotion under the provisions of paragraph 3, Part XIA, Appendix XI, of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, and who have served the necesary sea-time, to fill the four vacancies for lieutenant which now exist together with alternate vacancies for lieutenant as they arise during the present financial year; and if he will state the number of commissioned guners or gunners who are now undergoing courses for accelerated promotion?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe number of commissioned gunners and commissioned gunners (T) at present undergoing courses for accelerated promotion is two, but as these courses occupy only about three to four months, or in the case of commissioned gunners who have taken the advanced course, two to three months, it is probable that further courses will be arranged and completed before the end of the financial year. In the circumstances, it is not possible to say how many candidates will be qualified for promotion, but the position is closely watched and vacancies for lieutenant, which would ordinarily be reserved for officers eligible for accelerated advancement, are filled by the promotion of officers for long and zealous service, should it appear likely that the full number of vacancies reserved for the former will not be required.