§ MR. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there has been any precedent for the promotion to the post of Admiral of the Fleet of Sir Edmund Commerell, passing over an officer of long and good service, his 1197 senior in the Service; and whether the selection of Sir Edmund Commerell was contrary to the submission of the Board?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONPromotion to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet is by selection. For many years past the officer so selected has been the senior on the list. Admiral Sir Edmund Commerell was second in seniority on the list, but he had, in my judgment, the most distinguished record of war service of any officer on the active list. He has been five times specially gazetted for distinguished service in the field, has received a V.C., has been seriously wounded, and on several occasions his services have been warmly acknowledged by the Admiralty. He was, therefore, selected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Admiral Sir Provo Wallis. As regards the second part of the question, I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means. Perhaps he will explain.
§ MR. BRUNNERThe right hon. Gentleman will no doubt permit me to postpone my explanation for a day.