HC Deb 14 July 1842 vol 65 cc151-2
Mr. Hume,

in rising to move for some returns relative to Naval Promotions, of which he had given notice, said that the system of Naval Promotions was so extravagant and unjust, that if once fully understood by the public it could not be continued. He wished for full information on the subject, and he was sure it would show that the navy was a complete pension list of the aristocracy. He found that there were 2,879 lieutenants on the list in the Royal Navy, and the average period of their service was five years, six months, and twenty-seven days. For that length of service 2,879 lieutenants received half-pay. There were 807 commanders, of whom 419 had never been employed since they were promoted, and upon an average of the whole, each had only served eleven months and two weeks. There were 683 captains, on the list, of whom 313 had never served a day since they were promoted, and the average period of service had been two years, two months, and ten days. The average period since each was employed was twelve years and seven months, 249 had been receiving pensions from twenty years to fifty-five years. Those facts showed a wasteful and extravagant system of promotion, having no just relation to the wants of the service. The hon. Gentleman concluded by moving, that there be laid before the House Copy of the last patent constituting the commission for executing the office of Lord High Admiral, with a return of the names and rank of the persons constituting that commission, and the pay and allowances of each, and whether they occupy the houses appropriated for them by Government. Return of the names and present rank of the naval Lords of the Admiralty, stating their age at the time of their entry into the service, and the date of such entry: the date, and where they passed their examination for lieutenant, and copy of certificate of such examination; the dates of their promotion' to each rank, and the number of officers passed over by such promotions, stating the period which each has served in commission in each rank. Return, showing the services of all flag Officers in the navy promoted since the 29th day of June, 1838, stating the date of entry of each officer into the service, and the date of the several commissions which they have obtained, distinguishing the period passed in commission in their respective ranks, the period on half-pay in each rank, and the total period on full and half-pay; and showing also the period when and in what ship each was last employed, and the age of each officer at the date of last promotion (in continuation of the returns No. 6 of Appendix in the Report of the Commission of Naval Inquiry, 1840).

Sir G. Cockburn

said, that it was a most unjust aspersion on the half-pay officers to call them pensioners. As to the large number of officers, it might be readily accounted for, when it was called to mind that, at the end of the war, there were upwards of a thousand officers whose services being no longer required, they were placed on half-pay. In the case of the admirals, too, several had been appointed to the rank without receiving the additional pay. It was not the fact that the total amount of half-pay had increased; on the contrary, it had decreased. He had no objection to give a copy of the last patent, but he objected to the second paragraph. As to the other return, he did not object to give part of it; but he thought it quite unnecessary to give the personal details required, as to time of service, and so on.

The first part of the return for a copy of the last patent was agreed to. The second paragraph of the motion was withdrawn.

On the last paragraph of the motion to which Sir G. Cockburn objected—The House divided:—Ayes 23; Noes 99: Majority 76.

List of the Ayes.
Aglionby, H. A. Lambton, H.
Aldam, W. Morris, D.
Brotherton, J. Muntz, G. F.
Cobden, R. Norreys, Sir D. J.
Crawford, W. S. O'Connell, J.
Curteis, H. B. Plumridge, Capt.
Duncan, G. Russell, Lord E.
Duncombe, T. Somerville, Sir W. M.
Etwall, R. Thornely, T.
Ferguson, Sir R. A. Wood, B.
French, F. TELLERS.
Hindley, C. Hume, J.
Johnson, Gen. Pechell, Capt.
List of the Noes
Allix, J. P. Baring, hon. W. B.
Antrobus, E. Baskerville, T. B. M.
Arkwright, G. Blackburne, J. I.
Bagge, W, Borthwick, P.
Baird, W. Broadley, H.
Broad wood, H. Howard, P. H.
Bruce, Lord E. Hughes, W. B.
Buckley, E. Hutt, W.
Burrell, Sir C. M. Jackson, J. D.
Burroughes, H. N. Jermyn, Earl
Campbell, A. Jolliffe. Sir W, G. H,
Chetwode, Sir J. Jones, Capt
Clerk, Sir G. Knatchbull, rt. hn. Sir E
Cochrane, A. Lefroy, A.
Cockburn, rt. hn. Sir G. Lennox, Lord A
Codrington, C. W. Lincoln, Earl of
Corry, rt. hon. H. Litton, E.
Cripps, W. Lowther, J. H.
Damer, hon. Col. Mackinnon, W. A.
Darby, G. Mainwaring, T.
Douglas, Sir C. E, Manners, Lord C. S.
Douglas, J. D. S. Morgan, O.
Duncombe, hon. A. Nicholl, right hon. J.
Eaton, R. J. Norreys, Lord
Eliot, Lord Northland, Visct.
Escott, B. Pakington, J. S.
Feilden, W. Palmer, B.
Ferrand, W. B. Palmer, G.
Fitzroy, Capt. Patten, J. W.
Flower, Sir J. Peel, rt. hn. Sir R.
Ffolliott, J. Peel, J.
Forbes, W. Plumptre, J. P.
Fuller, A. E. Pringle, A.
Gaskell, J. Milnes Rolleston, Col.
Gordon, hon. Capt. Scott, hon. F.
Gore, M. Seymour, Sir H. B.
Gore, W. O. Somerset, Lord G.
Goulborn, rt. hon. H. Stanley, Lord
Greene, T. Stuart, H.
Grimsditch, T. Sutton, hon. H. M
Hamilton, W. J. Thompson, Ald.
Hanmer, Sir J. Trench, Sir F. W.
Hardinge, rt. hn. Sir H. Tyrell, Sir J. T.
Hardy, J. Verner, Col.
Hastie, A. Vesey, hon. T.
Henley, J. W. Waddington, II. S.
Henniker, Lord Wood, Col. T.
Herbert, hon. S. Young, J.
Hervey, Lord A. TELLERS.
Hodgson, F. Fremantle, Sir T.
Hodgson, R. Baring, H.