§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why such a small percentage of officers has been advanced to the rank of Commander and upwards in the dental branch of the Navy, as compared with all other branches; and whether any action and, if so, what will be taken to remedy this inequality?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe establishment of surgeon commanders (D) and surgeon captains (D) is regulated by the1578W requirements of the Service. The present establishment was fixed in 1926, and no reason is seen for revising it now.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the dental branch of the Navy only three officers have been advanced since July, 1926, to the rank of commander, while others of equal number of years' service in rank of lieutenant-commander were not so advanced in rank, which they would have been in all other non-executive branches of the Navy; and what is the reason for this?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMAdvancement is by selection to fill vacancies in a definite establishment, and is not automatic after a prescribed period of service.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether sea service is an essential for advancement to commander's rank and positions above that rank of the dental branch of the Royal Navy; and, if so, whether this principle has been strictly adhered to in all appointments during the last 10 years?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.