§ MR. BRAMSDON (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the question of the status of the present Royal Naval engineer officers has been brought before the consideration of their Lordships, as promised by the late Secretary to the Admiralty; if so, whether any decision has yet been arrived at as to the granting of military rank and departmental control asked for to the officers referred to; and, if not, what is the present position of the matter.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.The Admiralty are giving the question of the status of the present engineer officers due attention. It has been decided to take no action for the present. My hon. friend will agree with me that the question is one of considerable complication.
§ MR. BRAMSDONWas not a promise given by the late Secretary to the Admiralty as far back as March last?
§ MR. MCKENNAI will look into that.
§ MR. BRAMSDONWhen is a settlement likely to be arrived at?
§ MR. MCKENNAI cannot name a date. The matter is a very difficult one, and the Admiralty have decided to take no action for the present.