HC Deb 15 May 1890 vol 344 c933
ADMIRAL MAYNE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state what action he proposes to take with reference to the suggestions and recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Administration of Naval and Military Departments so far as they relate to the Admiralty?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing

The recommendations of the Royal Commission, so far as the Admiralty was concerned, were four in number. They involved no change in the present system of administration, but suggested a more distinct recognition of the principles upon which the system is based, especially in reference to the position which the First Naval Lord oocupies as chief adviser on all great questions of naval policy to the First Lord of the Admiralty. In order to enable him to give more time to this primary duty, they recommended that he should be relieved of some of the routine work hitherto attached to his office. Effect has been given to this recommendation, which was the only one that required any action to be taken.