CAPTAIN PRICEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether, with reference to honours distributed to Officers of the Naval and Military services who were engaged in the late Ashantee War, Lieutenants Royal Navy, when gazetted in Despatches for distinguished conduct in the war, are on promotion to higher rank eligible for the honour of C.B.; and, if not, if he would explain to the House why they are excluded from a privilege accorded to Medical Officers Royal Navy, and to Military Officers holding the same or junior rank?
§ MR. HUNTSir, by the statutes in force relating to the Order of the Bath lieutenants of the Royal Navy are not eligible for the honour of C.B. When promoted to the rank of commander they become eligible. Great consideration was given by the Admiralty to the claims of all officers serving on the Gold Coast, and the recommendations to Her Majesty were made according to the best judgment that they were able to form. 714 Because, however, no officer of the rank referred to by the hon. Member was selected for the distinction, it would seem hardly proper to say that the class was "excluded from the privilege," in the terms intimated in the Question.