§ 47. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister for what reason the appointment of the First Sea Lord, which had already been extended for two years, has been further extended for eight months, in view of the fact that his age is now 64, and that the late chief of the Imperial General Staff was asked to resign two years before the expiry of his original appointment on account of his age which was one year less; and why is there this differentiation between the two services?
§ The Prime MinisterThe appointment of the First Sea Lord is being extended because His Majesty's Government consider that his retention for a further period would be in the best interests of the country. As regards the late Chief of the Imperial General Staff, he retired, as stated on 6th December last in reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood) in order to facilitate certain changes in organisation. No question, therefore, arises of differentiation between the Services.