HC Deb 23 October 1908 vol 194 cc1489-90
MR. STAVELEY-HILL (Staffordshire, Kingswinford)

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty for how long Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson occupied his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet.

(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) Sir Arthur Wilson was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet from 21st May, 1903. This Fleet was renamed the Channel Fleet on 1st January, 1905, and Sir Arthur Wilson continued to hold the command of it until 4th March, 1907.

MR. STAVELEY-HILL

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty for how long Admiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr occupied the post of First Sea Lord, and for how long after his special promotion he continued in office.

(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) Admiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr occupied the post of First Sea Lord for five years and two months, having been appointed on 14th August, 1899, and ceased duty on 20th October, 1904. He continued as First Sea Lord for four months after being promoted to Admiral of the Fleet.

MR. STAVELEY-HILL

To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty for how long Admiral Lord Charles Beresford has occupied his present post as Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet; and whether the appointment of a new Commander-in-Chief, which has been announced to take effect after next March, was in any way authorised by the Admiralty.

(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) Lord Charles Beresford has held the command of the Channel Fleet for more than nineteen months. The Admiralty have not made any appointment of a new Commander-in-Chief.

MR. STAVELEY-HILL

To ask the First Lord of the Amiralty how long Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher has occupied his post as First Sea Lord, and how long it is since the date of his special promotion to Admiral of the Fleet in order to prevent his retirement under the ago clause of sixty-five years.

(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher has occupied the post of First Sea Lord for four years, having been appointed on 20th October, 1904. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 4th December, 1905.