§ VISCOUNT CURZON (Bucks, Wycombe)asked the Secretary of State for 527 War, Whether his attention has been called to the general expression of feeling amongst the inhabitants of Gibraltar in favour of retaining Sir John Adye in the office he now holds as Governor; whether a Petition, signed by nearly 1,300 merchants, tradesmen, &c. living there, in favour of his retention, has been received by Her Majesty's Government; whether there have been instances of the term of office, in similar cases, being extended; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will extend Sir John Adye's term of office for a short period?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAR DEPARTMENT (Mr. HERBERT GLADSTONE)(who replied) said: Yes, Sir; Her Majesty's Government are aware of the feeling among the inhabitants of Gibraltar in favour of retaining Sir John Adye as Governor. A Petition has been received, signed by over 1,200 persons, giving expression to that feeling. Her Majesty's Government regret that under the present Regulations, as embodied in the Royal Warrant, it is not possible to sanction any prolongation of his term of office. There have been instances in which the term of office has been prolonged; but in such cases the officers were holding their appointments at the time the Regulation was made, and their vested interests were preserved by the terms of the Warrant.