§ 13. Lieut.-Commander BOWERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of flag officers on the active list who have served as admiral superintendent or captain of a dockyard and are at present not employed; and whether the present Director of Dockyards during his active career held either of these appointments?
Lord STANLEYThere are at present on the active list two senior flag officers who have served as admiral superintendent of a dockyard. There are no flag officers who have served as captain of a dockyard. The present Director of Dockyards did not hold either of these appointments.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERWhile fully appreciating that it may be necessary for a retired officer to hold this appointment temporarily pending the appointment of an active officer, may I ask whether my Noble Friend does not consider it rather unfair to the large number of qualified active officers that this appointment should be held by a retired officer who draws the salary attached to the office and retired pay as well?
Lord STANLEYI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this officer gets no extra pay during the period that he holds this particular appointment. I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we get the best man we can for the job.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERIs not this retired officer depriving an active officer, and a more qualified active officer, of the job?
Lord STANLEYNo, Sir. This is a highly technical job, and it is imperative to get the right man for it.
§ Commander MARSDENIs it not a fact that, so far from this officer's pension being increased, it is actually reduced, while he gets a further emolument from the Government service? Is it not the case that it is not necessary that this post should be filled by either a retired officer or an officer on the active list, so that it would be quite open to the Admiralty to appoint a person in the commercial branch, possibly at a higher rate of salary?