§ Mr. Callaghanasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why no master-at-arms has been promoted to officer's rank in 1952; how many promotions he expects in 1953 and 1954, respectively; and if, in view of the dearth of promotions, he will review the existing upper age limit for promotion, so that men do not pass out of the promotion zone without a reasonable chance of review.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasNo masters-at-arms have been promoted to commissioned master-at-arms during 1952 because no vacancies have occurred in the authorised bearing of officers in the Regulating Branch during the year. The numbers of vacancies at present foreseen during 1953 and 1954 are one in each year and corresponding numbers of promotions of master-at-arms will be made in each of those years. I prefer not to raise the upper age limit for promotion. The hon. Member will appreciate that such a course would not improve promotion prospects in the Branch as a whole.
§ Mr. Callaghanasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that although the average age for advancement to master-at-arms is 32, the upper age for promotion to commissioned master-at-arms is 34; and, in view of the fact that a master-at-arms may be in the review zone for only two years, he will lift the upper age limit for promotion to commissioned rank.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe age zone for promotion to commissioned master-at-arms is 25 to 34, in common with the age zone for promotion to Branch Rank in other Executive Branches. I prefer not to raise the upper age limit. In my view, it is better to modify the arrangements on the lines we are now considering, which are designed to enable ratings to qualify earlier for master-at-arms and commissioned master-at-arms and to remain eligible for promotion to the higher rank over a longer period than at present