§ 63. Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether retired officers of the Navy, including several admirals, have volunteered for patrol work in the North Sea; if so, will he give the number and the ranks of the officers so employed, and the number, if any, who have relinquished their appointments; whether these officers were paid for their duty; and, if so, at what rate?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answers to the first and third parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the second part, retired flag officers, captains, commanders and lieutenant-commanders are employed on this service, but I do not think that it is in the public interest to give information as to their number. With reference to the fourth part, retired flag officers receive, in addition to their retired pay, a bonus of 25 per cent. on such retired pay together with command money and other allowances on the naval scale. Other retired officers receive the full pay and allowances applicable to their rank on the retired list.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDDid any of these officers relinquish their commands for the purpose of taking this service?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat I cannot say. There have been some who have ceased to hold their command since the War began.