§ 24. Captain W. G. HALLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of captains who have been retired since 1st January, 1929, after holding flag rank for one day only; and the total extra yearly cost entailed in pensions to these officers over that payable had such promotions not taken place?
Mr. ALEXANDER22 officers have been retired since 1st January, 1929, after holding flag rank for one day. At current rates their total annual pensions are £19,523. If these officers had continued to be employed as captains on the active list until they reached the age for compulsory retirement their pensions at current rates would have been £846 per annum apiece, a total of £18,612 or £911 per annum less than that actually awarded.
§ Captain HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction among officers of lower rank on this question, and will he consider the possibility of extending 381 to junior officers the rights of senior officers in this matter?
Mr. ALEXANDERI cannot promise that. All I can say is that we are considering how far we are justified in having such a large number of flag officers.