§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is a fact that, owing to the entry of 102 Lieutenants from the Main Executive Class for Navigating duties, 48 out of 206 of the old Navigating Offi- 719 cers, i.e., Staff Commanders and Navigating Lieutenants, are on half-pay; whether any compensation has been made to these Officers in accordance with the usual practice in such cases; and, whether the Admiralty will offer them optional amalgamation with the Navigating Officers, or optional retirement on the same scale as that allowed to Commanders and Lieutenants by Circular C. 13 of the 14th August, 1873?
§ CAPTAIN PRICEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is the case that nearly one-third of the Navigating Officers (old system) of the Royal Navy are now unemployed; and, whether this state of things has not been brought about by a practical abolition of their office; and, if so, has any compensation been given to these officers in accordance with the usual custom in such cases?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, It is the case that 48 out of 219, not 206, of the old navigating officers are unemployed. The system of selecting executive officers for navigating duties began in the year 1873. In the year 1870, 122 navigating officers out of 354 were unemployed—that is to say, about 35 per cent. In 1851, 75 out of 267, or 30 per cent, were unemployed, and the same proportion continued till the year 1873, and for some years afterwards. At this present moment 22 per cent only are unemployed; so that it is quite clear that there is no change for the worse in this respect owing to the selection of executive officers for navigating duties.