§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any precedent for the appointment of an officer on the retired list as divisional officer of Coastguard; whether he is aware that such an appointment is in contravention of Article 6, Coastguard Instructions, 1911; whether, failing the supply of officers under Clause 1 of this Article who are required for other services, due consideration is given to the claims of chief officers under Clause 2 of the Article; and whether the Admiralty will consider the expediency of selecting Coastguard officers for these appointments in greater numbers than hitherto, giving them the rank of lieutenant, as in all other grades of His Majesty's naval service, and utilising the saving thus effected to increase the pensions of such officers?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo precedent can be traced for the appointment of an officer on the retired list as divisional officer of Coastguard beyond one such appointment just made. The appointment of a retired officer is, however, not a contravention of Article 6, Coastguard Instructions, 1911. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative. With reference to the fourth part, while it is sometimes necessary to appoint a chief officer as acting divisional officer until a lieutenant may be available, it is not considered desirable to extend permanently the number of divisional chief officers' appointments.