§ 61. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that in the Royal Navy I engineer official out of 23, 1 medical officer out of 12, 1 accountant out of 9, and 1 executive officer out of 4 have received honours; if he can explain and will inquire into this difference which gives the engineer officers less than half the honours given to the accountants' branch; and if he will consider the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I have been asked to answer this question. The numbers mentioned in my hon. and gallant Friend's question are not concurred in as accurate, and therefore I am unable to follow him closely in his comparisons. It is, however, undoubtedly the fact that, owing to the different duties of the various branches, individual acts of gallantry, initiative, leadership, and so forth, come more prominently into view in some branches than in others. The Board recently decided that this question required consideration, especially with reference to the engineer branch, and it is now engaging their attention.