§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) what are the intentions of the Admiralty regarding the recognition of the services of those officers of the Royal Navy on the active list who held acting rank, in view of the fact that a considerable number of senior officers who have held acting rank during the War for two or more years are now being obliged to revert to their former rank;
(2) Whether it is proposed to recognise the services of the officers of the Royal Navy who have worthily held acting rank by granting them either confirmation in the higher rank, or addition to pensions, or a step on retirement, or in any way whatsoever, either now or in the future?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOfficers on the Active List who have held acting rank are eligible for consideration for promotion to the confirmed rank, for honours and distinctions, and for a step in rank on retirement, in exactly the same way as other officers, although many of them, owing to their age and seniority, are unlikely to be selected for promotion. Acting rank is in itself a recogntion of their services, and, on the whole, it is not thought there is sufficient reason for treating them exceptionally to other officers in the above respects. The question whether some increase of retired pay can be granted to them in view of their having held acting rank has been considered, but608W as this comes within the purview of the Committee which is now investigating officers' pay generally, it has been decided to leave the matter over until the Committee has reported.