§ Mr. N. Bowerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps have been taken in his Department during the past 12 months to ensure that merit, and not seniority, is the governing factor in promotions and appointments; and whether he can supply a list of officers and Civil Servants in key positions of importance in the Admiralty who are under the age of 45?
Mr. AlexanderThe importance of merit is constantly in mind in the Admiralty in making promotions and appointments and no specific steps on the lines indicated in the Question have been found to be required.
The figures asked for in the second part of the Question are as follow:
— Naval and Marine Officers: Captains R.N., Colonels R.M. and above. Civil Officers: Principals (or equivalent rank) and above. Under 45 … 46 27 Over 45 … 215 159 Total … 261 186