§ Mr. FALLEasked if Admiralty Circular Letter No. 16, of 7th April, 1910, defining command and military command, is intended to be read with Circular Letter No. 4157 of 28th March, 1903, or if its effect is to prevent and avoid the fusion of the present engineer and military branches?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe circular letter of 7th April was issued without reference to the circular letter of 28th March, 1903, and was intended simply to define more clearly the responsibility of officers of the different branches in their own departments.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular letter of 7th April has caused intense dissatisfaction in the engineering branches of the Navy, and that they read it as meaning that the new engineer officers under the scheme will be in advance when the fusion takes place next year?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply I have just given should be quite sufficient to relieve them from that apprehension.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill there be any chance of discussing the question this year in the House on the Votes?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am afraid that is not a matter within my power. I do not control the business of the House.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODWill the Navy Vote for the men not come on again?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. Vote A for the men is finished.