asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if all intending officers have to enter the R.N. as ratings.

Mr. Dugdale:

No, Sir.

Why should there be this differentiation between the Navy, the Air Force and the army? In the Army and in the Air Force, the officers rise from the ranks; why not in the Navy?

Mr. Dugdale:

If my hon. Friend was present yesterday, he would have heard in my opening statement that my noble Friend the First Lord is giving consideration to the whole of this matter, and I hope to be able to make a statement within eight weeks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the proportion of officers serving in the R.N. who commenced their service on the lower deck.

Mr. Dugdale:

I regret that time does not admit of a complete answer being prepared to the hon. Member's Question. The percentage of permanent officers of the three largest branches, namely, the executive, engineering, and supply branches, who began their service on the lower deck is about 12½.

Is it not much easier for a rating to get on to the front bench than to get into the officers' mess?