§ Mr. Ethertonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers in 1170W the Royal Navy, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, respectively, who are at present serving in a rank inferior to that in which they were employed between the years 1914–19; and was the decision, in such cases, made by the Board of Admiralty or the admiral commanding reserves?
§ Mr. ChurchillSo far as I am aware, there are no cases of officers of the Royal Navy, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who have been called up for service, serving in a rank inferior to that in which they were employed in the last war. There are, however, some cases in which officers have come forward voluntarily and accepted lower rank than that which they formerly held, appointments for officers of their own rank not being available. I regret that information concerning the number of such cases is not available. The responsibility for all appointments of officers rests with the Board of Admiralty.