§ MR. DUNNsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, if the Lords Commissioners have any intention of ameliorating the present position of the Senior Lieutenants of the Navy, either by promo- 1851 tion or increase of pay; and whether their Lordships have considered the effect of the present system of promoting flag-Lieuttenants to the rank of Commander on the termination of an admiral's command?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, the Lords of the Admiralty did not intend to increase the full pay of senior lieutenants. It was, however, their intention to grant an increase of half-pay, according to length of service and in conformity with the scheme which he had already laid before the House. If that scheme were carried out, the position and prospects of those gallant old officers with regard to promotion would undoubtedly he improved. In answer to the second question, he thought he had better read the order which had already been decided on by the Admiralty, with reference to the appointment of flag-Lieutenants. It was as follows:—
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have thought fit to direct that in future whenever a flag-officer may be permitted to nominate an officer for promotion, it is to be understood that a lieutenant, when so nominated, must have completed at least five years' service in that rank at the date at which the flag-officer may be ordered to strike his flag, of which five years not less than three years shall have been served in a sea-going ship.