§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that petty officer telegraphists are serving 12 years before promotion to chief petty officer telegraphists; and whether, in order to ameliorate the adverse conditions under which these petty officers are serving he will authorise promotion in alternate vacancies?
§ Mr. AMMONThe petty officer telegraphists promoted to chief petty officer telegraphists during 1928–9 served on the average about 11 years in that rating, although the last two known to be rated were just under 12 years. The average "man's" time on advancement to chief petty officer of petty officer telegraphists was consider ably less than that of seamen and stoker petty officers and of yeomen of signals. Such conditions are not therefore, by comparison, adverse to the petty officer telegraphists. The situation in regard to advancement generally is being carefully watched so that appropriate measures may be adopted if necessary.