§ 8. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to put an end to rumours of impending changes, he will state what changes are to be made at the Board of Admiralty and in existing commands?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Balfour)With the King's approval, Admiral Sir Henry Jackson has been appointed Admiral President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.
Admiral Sir John Jellicoe becomes First Sea Lord, and Admiral Sir David Beatty has assumed command of the Grand Fleet.
The decisions involving these appointments were taken some time ago; but, for military reasons which my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, the announcement has been delayed.
§ Mr. ASHLEYAre there any other changes in the Board of Admiralty?
§ Mr. BALFOURThere certainly will be, of course, consequential on these, but I thought that what the House desired to have were these principal changes.
§ Mr. BALFOURYes, there are changes in the higher commands. They will be announced in the ordinary course. I thought that my hon. and gallant Friend was chiefly interested in the more important alterations recently effected.