§ 5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any reductions in the flag list of 1623 admirals, vice-admirals and rear-admirals are contemplated in view of the financial situation?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Austen Chamberlain)Since January, 1930, the flag list has been reduced by eight, and in view of the present requirements of the Fleet no further reduction is in contemplation. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that the placing of officers on the retired list effects no immediate economy, but the reverse, since the additional charges incurred for retired pay exceed the saving on half-pay by about £200 a year for each officer.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the First Lord look into the question of some of the redundant commands in view of the largely reduced Fleet?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINWe shall consider every possible economy and we shall be hard pressed to find the additional money required to make good our share of the savings.