§ Mr. Perkinsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, by comparison with officers of analogous age and service in the Army and the Royal Air Force, the promotion of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officers in combatant units is unduly slow?
§ Mr. George HallIt is not to be expected that promotion of R.N.V.R. officers in combatant units would be so rapid as the promotion of analogous officers in the Army or Air Force for the expansion of the Navy has been much less than that of the other two Services. Nevertheless, a substantial number of R.N.V.R. officers have risen to positions of responsibility. The Admiralty had for some time, however, not been satisfied that the responsibilities imposed on these officers had been sufficiently reflected in increased rank. In August last, therefore, orders were issued about promotion to the rank of lieutenant-commander which are expected to result in a substantial increase in the numbers of the promotions to that rank, which corresponds to the rank of major in the Army and squadron leader in the Air Force. The matter will be kept under review.