HC Deb 25 February 1937 vol 320 cc2194-6W
Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of commissions to be awarded this year to lower-deck ratings as sub-lieutenant, sub-lieutenant (E), and probationary second lieutenants, Royal Marines, in view of the fact that the number of executive commissions awarded to lower-deck entries in 1913 and 1914 was 44 and 31, respectively, and that if the numbers for the year are announced it will be helpful to commanding and training officers, selection boards, and others concerned; and whether, in view of the need for officers, he will arrange for selection boards to be held more frequently than once a year, as was done during the years 1912 to 1918?

Lord Stanley

It is not possible to state the number of commissions as Sub-Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenant (E), which will be awarded this year to ratings, since such commissions will be given to all candidates recommended by the Selection Committee and the number which will be recommended cannot be predicted. The number of promotions to second lieutenant, Royal Marines, is limited by Order-in-Council to two a year. That number will be awarded this year if there are two suitable candidates, and if there are more, amendment of the Order-in-Council, so as to allow of a larger quota of commissions, will be favourably considered. Consideration will also be given to the hon. Member's suggestion that Selection Boards should be held more than once a year.

Mr. R. Beaumont

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of promotions from the lower deck in the general service and engineering branches, respectively, in each of the years during which the mate scheme was in force?

Lord Stanley

The information required is as follows:

Year. Number of promotions to—
Mate (general service). Mate (E).
1913 44 —
1914 31 14
1915 108 28
1916 51 42
1917 92 52
1918 43 17
1919 — 10
1920 11 6
1921 3 7
1922 6 6
1923 6 5
1924 6 5
1925 5 5
1926 9 5
1927 7 5
1928 8 5
1929 5 4
1930 6 4
1931 12 4
1932 8 4

Mr. R. Beaumont

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of promotions from the lower deck in the executive and engineering branches and Royal Marines, respectively, in 1936?

Lord Stanley

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 9th December last, a copy of which I am sending to him.

Mr. R. Beaumont

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of naval ratings who appeared before Fleet selection boards, and the number recommended by those boards in each of the years 1929 to 1935?

Lord Stanley

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the information given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) in reply to his question of 9th December last. Promotions direct from the lower deck to commissioned rank before 1933 were made under the old "Mate" system, and the number of ratings who were recommended by the Selection Committees and who attended the qualifying examinations held under that scheme are not readily available. The numbers promoted to Mate and Mate (E) were, however, as follow:

Year. Promotions to—
Mate. Mate (E).
1929 … … 5 4
1930 … … 6 4
1931 … … 12 4
1932 … … 8 4