§ MR. C. P. BERKELEYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he considers that the officers of long standing and high rank in the Navy are satisfied with the recent distribution of pay, as lately gazetted, by which it appears that their juniors will receive more than themselves; and if he considers that the fact of officers receiving more on the Retired Lists than those who remain on the Active Lists, will act beneficially in inducing officers to seek service; and if, considering the anomalies which have arisen in the various rates of pay, half-pay, retired pay, and reserve pay, Her Majesty's Government will cause any inquiry to be made, either by Royal Commission or otherwise?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGET,in reply, said, he had heard of no complaints to the effect that the officers of the navy were dissatisfied with the distribution of pay as recently gazetted. With regard to the junior officers receiving more pay than their seniors, that was undoubtedly true, but he had to observe that that was the only way in which officers could be induced to retire from the service, and make room for others more active. That arrangement was, therefore, inseparable from all schemes 1791 for retirement. His hon. Friend also asked whether he considered that the scheme would act beneficially in inducing officers to seek service; and he (Lord Clarence Paget) had to reply that he was not aware of the existence of any reluctance on the part of officers to seek service. On the contrary, there were repeated applications from officers for active employment. With respect to the latter part of the Question of his hon. Friend, he had to state that Her Majesty's Government had given great consideration to that subject, and that they were not at present disposed to cause any inquiry to be made, by Commission or otherwise, into the various rates of pay in the navy.
§ MR. C. P. BERKELEYsaid, he would give notice that he should call attention to the subject at the earliest opportunity.