HC Deb 31 May 1878 vol 240 cc1035-6
MR. SAMPSON LLOYD

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether any (and if any, what) steps have been taken or are in contemplation to do justice to the old navigating officers of the Royal Navy, now that the navigating duties have been thrown open to all executive officers, and thus young navigating sub-lieutenants become on promotion the seniors of navigating staff captains and commanders, under whom such lieutenants had only recently served and acquired the knowledge of their duties.

MR. W. H. SMITH

Sir, I am hardly able to admit that the old navigating officers are suffering under the injustice suggested in this Question. No right or privilege has been taken away from them, and the Admiralty is careful not to place old navigating officers under the command of young officers who have been subordinate to them as navigating officers before promotion. The case of the navigating officers is now under consideration, and the interests of the older navigating officers will be duly considered.