§ CAPTAIN G. R. BETHELL (Yorks, E.R., Holderness)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty why the privilege of wearing the "half-stripe" has recently been taken from lieutenants of the Royal Naval Reserve; and whether, as officers of the Royal Naval Reserve rank with, but after, corresponding ranks in the Royal Navy, he will consider the possibility of restoring this privilege, the loss of which is much felt by the lieutenants of the Royal Naval Reserve?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. W. G. E. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.My hon. and gallant Friend is in error in supposing that the privilege of wearing the "half-stripe" on the uniform has been taken away from lieutenants of the Royal Naval Reserve, for the right to wear it has never been given to those officers. The reason why the "half-stripe" cannot be allowed to them is that it is not given to all lieutenants on the Active List of the Navy, but only to those of eight years' seniority, and as lieutenants, R.N.R., rank with, but after, all lieutenants on the Active List, the "half-stripe" would be out of place if granted to officers of the Reserve.
§ CAPTAIN BETHELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the "half-stripe" is only worn by lieutenants of over eight years' standing; and is it not the fact 739 that under the Queen's Regulations these gentlemen are eligible?
§ MR. MACARTNEYI am not aware of that.