§ MR. BELLAIRSTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty for what length of time do captains serving at the Naval Intelligence Department retain their position; whether he can cause to be shown in the Navy List the dates of appointment of all officers serving at the Admiralty, as is done, in the case of officers serving in ships; whether he can also indicate in the index the fact if they are serving at the Admiralty; and if these facilities cannot be afforded he will state the reason.
(Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) Captains serving in the Naval Intelligence Department hold their appointments during pleasure. The duration of the appointment does not as a rule exceed three years, but it may be extended at pleasure. The dates of first appointment in the case of officers holding civilian appointments at the Admiralty can be shown in the Navy List, though it will give extra work; but as regards the proposed alteration to the index, the 894 symbols already given indicate the department in which the officer is serving, and it is not considered desirable to make any alterations or additions involving further elaboration.