§ LORD RICHARD GROSVENORasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, What are the principles which direct the selection of officers of the Civil branches of the Navy for the honour of the Military branch of the Order of the Bath; and, whether it is intended that the head of the Medical branch is always to be recommended for appointment as Knight Commander of that Order; if so, whether the head of the Paymaster's branch is to be recommended for a similar distinction; and, if so, why not?
§ MR. GOSCHENsaid, in reply, that the principles which directed the selection of officers of the civil branches of the Navy for the honour of the military branch of the Order of the Bath were embodied in the Statutes of the Order. There was no intention of giving any distinction connected with the Bath permanently in virtue of an office; no such distinction could be gained except by meritorious service. As to whether it was intended that the head of the medical branch was always to be recommended as Knight Commander of the Order, and, if so, whether the head of the Paymaster branch was to be recommended for a similar distinction, he was 1218 not aware that there was a head of the Paymaster branch; there was no office corresponding to that of the Medical Director General; and if there were, he should venture to submit that these comparisons were odious.