§ 5. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the case of the twenty-four supplementary lieutenants who joined the Service under Orders in Council, October, 1895, and August, 1898, with regard to an increase of pension after fifteen years served for the maximum; whether he is aware that in some instances these officers are serving with retired commanders junior to themselves on the active list, which means not only a junior position but £180 a year less pay; and whether he will consider the possibility of placing these officers on the list of lieutenant-commanders and, where the appointment justifies it, promoting them to the rank of acting-commanders as a reward for war services?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first and second parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the third part, all the officers referred to are already lieutenant-commanders, but the acting rank of commander can only be granted in exceptional cases when such higher rank is necessary in the interests of the Service.