§ 18. Mr. Hardyasked the Minister of State for Defence how many officers of flag-rank in the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines now hold sea-going appointments.
§ Mr. KirkFive Flag Officers of the Royal Navy. General Officers of the Royal Marines do not hold sea-going appointments.
§ Mr. HardyMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to take great care that the remaining 4,300 officers of Flag Rank in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines are not sent to sea, in case the very buoyancy of the Fleet is considerably reduced?
§ Mr. KirkI am sorry to undermine the hon. Gentleman's very witty supplementary question. There are 62 other flag officers, of whom eight are either on permanent leave or temporary duty, and 15 hold conventional or area commands. Admirals do not go to sea any more.
§ Mr. HardyOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In a Written Answer in July I was informed that there were 4,400 officers of flag rank—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is not a point of order, but a point of admirals, I think.