§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that 1276W Admiralty Fleet Order 2678, of 13th November, 1931, is contrary to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on 18th February, 1931, that non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks on transfer to continuous service might count all their non-continuous time for advancement and pension; and will he have this order amended accordingly?
Lord STANLEYWith regard to the first part of the question, non-continuous service officers' stewards and cooks who were transferred to continuous service prior to 17th December, 1924, normally count all their previous non-continuous service time for advancement and pension, but those who transferred after that date are eligible to count their previous time for pension, but not beyond the 3rd class rating for advancement. Since the great majority of such men transferred before 17th December, 1924, it is the case that, as stated in the reply given on 18th February last, generally speaking, these ratings are allowed to count. their previous non-continuous service time, but it is regretted if this reply has given the impression that the 1924 rule had been or would be altered. As regards the second part of the question, the Fleet. Order quoted was issued to reaffirm the existing position under the Regulations, and no reason is seen to alter it.