§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether a greater number of candidates from the lower deck are to be enabled to obtain commissions at an age to allow them to compete for the highest ranks;
(2) whether a greater number of lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) are likely in future to be selected for commanders, observing that there are now 24 engineer-commanders (ex-mate E) but only six commanders (ex-mate)?
Mr. ALEXANDERI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of to-day to the hon. Member for Central Portsmouth (Captain W. G. Hall).