COMMANDER—BETHELL (York, E.R. Holderness)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is now to be understood that anyone accepting a Commission in the Navy cannot ever, under existing laws as recently interpreted, claim his release as a matter of right; and, if so, whether those who serve without a definite engagement, and without a Commission, are equally assumed to have permanently abandoned their right of re-entering civil life?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The principle which has always guided the Admiralty in considering the request from an officer to resign his Commission is, that the exigencies of the Public Service must be considered before the personal convenience of any individual officer. Subject to this one consideration, there is no wish on the part of the Admiralty to retain officers in the Service against their will. I do not understand the exact meaning of the latter half of the Question. With the exception of midshipmen and naval cadets, and clerks 1119 and assistant clerks, who are classed as subordinate officers, and of warrant officers, all officers in Her Majesty's Service hold Commissions. In the very few instances that have occurred of a subordinate officer wishing to withdraw from the Service the Admiralty have not withheld their consent, when it has been ascertained that the reasons advanced are good, and that the assent of parents or guardians has been obtained.