§ 123. Commander Purseyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what sort of investigation is being carried out, and by whom, into the conditions of lower- deck promotion to commissioned rank, via the sub-lieutenant scheme, and to warrant rank; when the investigations are likely to be completed and decisions taken; and whether announcements will be made in this House which can be debated.
Mr. DugdalePromotion from the lower deck through the Sub-Lieutenant scheme and the direct promotion to Lieutenant from Warrant Officer, is under consideration by an Admiralty Committee, the Chairman of which is Admiral Sir Percy Noble. The Committee is instructed to make full recommendations on the future of promotion from the lower deck generally, including the numbers to be promoted relative to Cadet entered officers. The Committee is expected to report in about month's time. The form in which the decisions are announced will be considered when the Committee's report has been examined.