§ 2. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will say how many officers of the ranks of commodore, captain, and below have been given acting or substantive rank in the grades of rear-admiral, vice-admiral, and admiral, outside the method of promotion by seniority during the War; and, in the event of the answer being only one, whether the Board will have regard to the practice in our own Army and in other armies?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe answer to the first part of the question is one: Captain (Commodore, First Class) Sir R. Y. Tyrwhitt, K.C.B., D.S.O., who was given the acting rank of Rear-Admiral in January last. With regard to the last part of the question, the Board of Admiralty are satisfied with the powers they possess at present.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the more 399 satisfactory answer given by his colleague for the War Office and induce the Board of Admiralty to go and do likewise?
§ General McCALMONTWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether it is not a fact that the conditions are not at all satisfactory in the Army, and that they give rise to a great deal of difficulty?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot possibly answer that. But as regards my hon. and gallant Friend's further question, I was present at the discussion by the Board when the principle of giving acting flag rank to captains selected was adopted, and I was a member of the Board Committee that worked out the details of the application of the principle. I was impressed with the unprejudiced way the Sea Lords determined to meet war necessities as they arise, whilst at the same time preserving the great traditions of the Navy that promotion to flag rank must in no way be affected by personal and improper influences.
§ Commander BELLAIRSSurely the same argument would apply to the Army, and surely there are some officers with merit?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAdmitted.