§ 32. Commander SOUTHBYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in view of the recently published statement regarding the setting up of a committee to inquire into the question of candidates for officer ranks of the Royal Navy, he will state the terms of reference which are to guide the committee; and whether they include any suggestion of the abolition of the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth?
Mr. ALEXANDERI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of the 30th October (OFFICIAL REPORT, columns 216–218) to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Portsmouth (Captain W. G. Hall).
§ Commander SOUTHBYCan the right hon. Gentleman say that before any change is made in the present system of the entry of officers into the Service, this House will have an opportunity of debating the question?
Mr. ALEXANDERI cannot undertake that, but we are setting up a very impartial committee, on which two very efficient admirals are sitting, with educational authorities, and the Board of Admiralty, I am sure, will give an impartial judgment when the report of the committee is received.
§ Commander SOUTHBYWill not this House have an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the findings of that committee before they are put into force?