MR. WHITEsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, If it be true that, in accordance with an Order in Council, a certain number of Commanders were annually selected for promotion to the list of Reserved Captains since 1851, until the said list contained 100 names; and, whether the officers so promoted were not presented with Commissions similar in every respect to those of Captains on the active list, and the usual fees thereon paid by the recipients of such Commissions?
MR. CORRYsaid, in reply, that in 1851 and 1852 the Commanders annually selected for promotion to the list of Reserved Captains received Commissions similar to those of Captains on the active list; but in 1852 the plan was altered, and the words On Reserved Half-pay were inserted at the bottom of the Commission. Fees are not paid on Naval Commissions, the stamp duty of 5s. being all that is charged. This was charged on the Commissions given to the Reserved Captains, as it has always been on all Commissions, given whether to active or retired officers.