HC Deb 17 February 1954 vol 523 cc212-3W
Mr. Callaghan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent disciplinary powers are exercised by engineer officers in the Royal Navy.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

Engineer officers in the Royal Navy may award the punishment of one day's extra work or drill to stoker mechanics or stokers for offences connected with work in the engineering department: this power is delegated by the captain, at his discretion, to the appropriate officer of the engineering department, of the rank of lieutenant or above. Air engineer officers at naval air stations may be given similar powers of punishmentin relation to air maintenance ratings. These disciplinary powers are identical with those which may be exercised by other officers not of the executive branch.

Offences which call for more severe punishment and all offences connected with the general duties of the ship, are dealt with by the officer of the watch or day, the executive officer, or the captain, according to their gravity. A small number of shore establishments containing a high proportion of personnel of the engineer branch are commanded by engineer officers. These officers exercise the full disciplinary powers of a commanding officer (except the power to award dismissal from the Service as a summary punishment). In these establishments, engineer officers may carry out the duties of executive officer and officer of the day, and the full disciplinary powers appropriate to those duties may be delegated to them.