§ 17. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many flag officers there were on the Active List in March, 1914; how many there were in March of this year; and now many of these flag officers were employed in each of these two months, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)There were 95 flag officers on the Active List in March, 1914, of whom three were supernumerary, being employed and paid by overseas dominions or foreign governments. This number was increased during the War, but has been gradually reduced since, and now stands at 98, of whom six are supernumerary, three being officers specially promoted to Admiral of the Fleet for services during the War whose places on retirement will not be filled, and three being employed and paid by overseas dominions or foreign governments. 1309 As already announced, it was decided early this year to reduce this total number by 15. The number of flag officers employed in March, 1914, was 54. The number employed at the present time is 52, which, as already stated in reply to a previous question, will shortly be reduced to 41.
§ Captain Viscount CURZONWill the hon. Gentleman consider the making of a still further appeal to the senior ranks in the Navy to make room for junior officers.