§ MR. E. J. REEDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is true that a former Commander in Chief on the North America and West India Station gave an order excluding Naval Officers of the Engineer class, below the rank of Ward-room Officers, and them alone, from all invitations given to the Officers of the ship; and, whether it is true that this order is still in force on that station; and, if so, whether he will take early steps for putting all the junior Officers of Her Majesty's Navy on an equal footing in this respect?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHAn Order was given in 1874 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Station in these terms—
General invitations to officers of Her Majesty's ships are understood to be addressed only to those messing in the ward-room and gunroom messes.So far as the Admiralty are aware, this Order has not been cancelled; but, under the improved status of the future Engineer officers of the Royal Navy, my Lords see no reason for retaining it, and orders will be given accordingly.