§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is his intention to retain Vice Admiral Grant in his position of Superintendent of Devonport Dock, notwithstanding the fact that he has attained to the rank of Vice Admiral; if so, whether there are any, and what, reasons for adopting this special course; what is the difference in the pay of a Vice Admiral and a Rear Admiral when employed; and, whether there are several Rear Admirals on the Active List who are thoroughly competent to discharge the duties of Superintendent of a Dockyard, by reason of their having served as Captains of Steam Reserve?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)Under the old Regulations the post of Admiral Superintendent of a Dockyard was only tenable by Rear Admirals, promotion to the list of Vice Admiral, necessitating retirement from the appointment, although the period of three years for which the appointment ran might not have been completed. Short terms of service being prejudicial to the efficient working of the yard, I made an ar- 868 rangement by which an officer might, irrespective of his rank, complete his term of service with the consent of the Admiralty. The difference in pay between a Vice Admiral and a Rear Admiral when so employed is £117 2s. 6d.; but the difference between their half pay is £136 17s. 6d. The State, therefore, retains the services of the officer of experience, and saves £20 per annum under the arrangement. Vice Admiral Grant is the first officer to whom the change applies.