Rear-Admiral Sir R. HALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what reductions, if any, are contemplated in the number of officers on the Flag list of the Royal Navy and in the number of Flag appointments, having regard to the reduced requirements of the post-War Fleet and to the urgent necessity for reducing national expenditure?
§ Mr. AMERYImmediately after the close of the late War the Flag list, which had been temporarily increased as a war measure, was reduced to the numbers authorised by Order in Council of 8th December, 1903. Early this year it was decided to reduce the Flag list still further by 15 Flag officers of various ranks. In 1921 the Board sanctioned a reduction of three in the number of Flag appointments, and directions have since been given to effect a further reduction of eight. In addition, one of the present Flag appointments is of a temporary and special nature and will lapse in due course. On the completion of these changes, the total number of appointments normally available for Flag officers will be not more than 41.