§ 22. Mr. MARKHAMasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the admiral superintendents of the Portsmouth and Devonport Dockyards have recently retired; if so, what pension has been accorded to them; and whether either of them are being retained in their old posts as civilians?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe reply to the first part of the question is that within the last thirteen months both of these officers, having reached the rank of vice-admiral without having flown their flags at sea, have been retired under the regulations. They have been retained in their posts in accordance with the policy of the Board, as in the interests of economy and efficiency it is undesirable that there should be too frequent changes in these appointments. Under the regulations governing the employment of retired officers they do not receive a pension, but the full pay of their rank, plus 15 per cent. as a set off to the fact that they do not count the time while so employed as pensionable service.