§ 10. Lieut.-Commander BOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the office of director of dockyards is held by a retired officer of the Royal Navy; and whether this officer is in receipt of a pension in addition to the emoluments attached to the office?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)The officer who fills this post, and who since his appointment thereto has retired from the Active List, was appointed because in the opinion of the Board of Admiralty he was the officer best qualified to hold it. I should add that the employment of a retired officer has the important advantage of securing greater continuity in the tenure of the post than would otherwise be possible. He receives retired pay as a Vice-Admiral in addition to his salary, but his service does not count for increase of retired pay.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERWhile appreciating the necessity for continuity, would it not be possible, in view of the large number of senior officers in the Navy for whom it is impossible to find employment, to appoint an officer of sufficient juniority to ensure his remaining on the active list during his holding of the appointment?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLIt would be very difficult to do that and give a sufficient length of time for this very important post.