HC Deb 24 November 1926 vol 200 cc384-5
18. Sir B. FALLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will alter the constitution of naval invaliding boards so that a captain, Royal Navy, shall be the president and a commander, Royal Navy, shall be a member, together with three medical officers, in order that naval ratings brought to survey may be able to state their case to an executive and lay authority?

Mr. DAVIDSON

The present practice in this matter is considered to have worked successfully since 1914 and no reason is seen for amending the Regulations.

Sir B. FALLE

Are we not, going back to the oldest system which obtained for so many years?

Mr. DAVIDSON

That system was abandoned because it was considered that the new one was better.

Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALI

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the proposal referred to in the question worked very satisfactorily for 60 years?

Sir B. FALLE

Hear, hear!

Mr. DAVIDSON

Yes, but T consider that the present system is working more satisfactorily.