§ 3. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many rear-admirals, vice-admirals, admirals, and admirals of the fleet are now on the active list of the Royal Navy; how many of them are commanding ships; and how many commanding shore establishments; and if he will give a breakdown of duties performed by the others.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingFifty-seven rear-admirals, 19 vice-admirals and 10 admirals. Admirals of the Fleet are always on the active list but at present only one is on full-time service.
In the second and third parts of his Question I assume that the hon. Member is referring to flag officers having sea-going ships under their command and those in overall command of shore establishments respectively. There are 12 of the former and 18 of the latter.
The break-down referred to in the last part of the Question contains a number of figures and I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HyndAs it appears from those figures that there are 86 admirals, apart from admirals of the fleet, and that only 30 are in active commands, does not the Civil Lord think that, in view of the small size of the Royal Navy as compared with previous times, it is rather top-heavy with admirals?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI think it is the experience of all three Services—and 1154 incidentally, of business—that it is not possible to have an efficient organisation if one tries to skimp on the top management.
§ Following is the information:
| FLAG OFFICERS OTHER THAN THOSE HAVING SEAGOING SHIPS UNDER THEIR COMMAND OR IN OVERALL COMMAND OF SHORE ESTABLISHMENTS. | |
| Members of Board of Admiralty | 6 |
| Holding appointments in Admiralty below Board level | 23 |
| Holding appointments in other Government Departments | 3 |
| International appointments | 4 |
| Holding appointments on staffs of Commanders-in-Chief | 10 |
| Holding "professional" appointments in H.M. Dockyards | 2 |
| Admiralty Interview Board | 1 |
| Imperial Defence College | 1 |
| On leave or waiting to take up appointments | 7 |
| 57 |