HC Deb 31 July 1936 vol 315 cc1878-9W
Mr. COCKS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any captain promoted from the lower deck in modern times has commanded a battleship or cruiser in the sea-going fleets; and whether one is likely to do so in the near future?

Sir S. HOARE

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. E. J. Williams) on 4th May last.

Mr. COCKS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the class of ships, giving fleet, reserve or special complement status, and the ranks of the officers at the time, of the 99 officers promoted from the lower deck who are stated to have been appointed to the command of ships in the Navy since 1920?

Sir S. HOARE

These officers have been appointed in command of sloops, minesweepers, destroyers, submarines and miscellaneous craft. To give the full details asked for by the hon. Member would involve the examination of the records of all officers from the lower deck over a period of 15 years, and would entail an amount of additional work which would not be justified.

Mr. COCKS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of ratings qualified educationally and professionally for the rank of sub-lieutenant and sub-lieutenant (E), the number of candidates who appeared

Fleet or Command. No. of candidates appearing before Fleet Selection Board. No. of candidates recommended by Fleet Selection Board. Number promoted.
General Service. Engineering. General Service. Engineering. General Service. Engineering.
Home Fleet 3 1 2 1 Not yet decided. 1
Mediterranean 5 3 2 2 2
America and West Indies 1 1 1
Africa 1
Plymouth 1 1
Nore 1 1