§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that officers who wish to see the Second Sea Lord or his secretary with regard to appointments or to obtain information of their future movements are requested not to seek a personal interview if a written communication will serve the purpose, and that communications written under these circumstances are frequently unanswered, officers on full or half pay leave and those whose ships are about to pay off being thereby kept in ignorance of their future destinations; and whether he will take steps to ensure that such communications should invariably receive a reply in future?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is quite true that the rule referred to in the first part of the question has been in existence for some time. The hon. Gentleman will, I think, appreciate that the mass of detail connected with the duties of the Second Sea Lord is so great that he is obliged to place limits upon the time during which he is free to grant interviews to individual officers. He regrets to learn that in any instance a letter has remained unanswered. He is not aware of any such case, but will be glad to inquire into any complaint which may be brought to his notice.
§ Mr. C. BELLAIRSWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that the rule has been in force some time, can the right hon. Gentleman give the time more definitely?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think it originally came in force in the time of the late Second Sea Lord.