§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. A. V. Alexander)I ask your permission, Mr. Speaker, to make a short statement on an appointment which has recently been made in the Admiralty and which will, I think, be of interest to the House.
In view of the expanding naval administrative work at the Admiralty, and in order that the First Sea Lord may be able to devote the maximum time to duties connected with plans and operations, which are the main responsibility of the Chief of Naval Staff in regard to the conduct of the war, a Deputy-First Sea Lord has been appointed to take over the administrative side of the First Sea Lord's duties. In particular, the Deputy-First Sea Lord will superintend the work of the Naval Staff related to the provision of the necessary Naval Forces of all types (including the Fleet Air Arm) and other requirements, to meet present and future needs for the conduct of the war. He will also deal with all large questions in connection with the development of the fighting efficiency of the Fleet as regards training and material.
Admiral Sir Charles Kennedy-Purvis, who recently relinquished the appointment of Commander-in-Chief of a foreign station, assumed his duties as Deputy-First Sea Lord on 29th July, 1942.