HC Deb 21 April 1939 vol 346 cc670-2W
Sir R. Young

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that students of the Royal Dockyard schools have filled, and are filling, important posts in technical education establishments and in non-government undertakings; how many, if any, fourth-year dockyard students, engine-fitter apprentices, were recruited during 1937 and 1938 as engineer officers; and whether, seeing the recruited number of university graduates is not up to expectations, he will create facilities for suitable candidates trained at these schools for recruitment as engineer officers?

Mr. Shakespeare

This matter has already received consideration and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth Central (Mr. R. Beaumont) on 12th December last.

Sir R. Young

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the reasons why the increase from eight to 10 per cent. of lieutenancies for engineer warrant-officers was delayed until the end of March, seeing that the increase in the other nine branches took place early in January, and why the seniority of the nine new lieutenants (E) was not ante-dated to 1st December, 1938, as was done in the case of the 26 officers in the other branches?

Mr. Shakespeare

As I made clear in the reply given to the, hon. Member on l0th March, the increase from eight to 10 per cent. of promotions to lieutenant from warrant officer is not automatic but is based on requirements. It was intended that the percentage of 10 per cent. should be worked up to in those branches where immediate promotion of the whole additional percentage was not justified.

In the case of the engineers the whole additional number was promoted on the 6th March, whereas, taking all the other branches collectively, only a proportion of the additional percentage was promoted with seniority of the 1st December, 1938. In these circumstances the Admiralty do not consider that any antedate would be justified.