§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are as many as 32 chief or electrical artificers awaiting promotion to warrant electrician, some of whom qualified for this rank in 1918; and whether he will explain the recent Admiralty fleet order suspending examinations for the rank of warrant electricians, in view of his statement that promotion from the lower deck has now been resumed in all branches?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANOver 30 chief and other electrical artificers are at present fully qualified for promotion to warrant electrician and on the roster for promotion. Promotion to the rank is being made as vacancies occur, but as the number on the roster is amply sufficient to cover any vacancies which arc likely to occur in the near future, it has been thought desirable, as a temporary measure, to suspend the examination for promotion until the number on the roster is reduced.