§ 2. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a number of active list officers, filling appointments on shore in the coastguard and elsewhere, have applied for service afloat, and that the practice of giving the preference to retired officers deprives these active list officers of the legitimate opportunity of winning distinction in the proper sphere of a seaman; and whether he can see his way to take any action to meet such cases?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am informed that many officers filling shore appointments have been given sea appointments since war broke out, and that it is not the case that preference is given to retired officers.