§ 38. Sir G. Foxasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the will institute a more modern and up-to-date record Department in the Admiralty; why postings are made sometimes by the Naval Secretary to the First Lord and sometimes by the Naval Assistant to the Second Sea Lord; and how many civil servants work in this Department.
Mr. DugdaleI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is under some misapprehension. Appointments of executive officers of the rank of captain and above are made by my noble Friend, the First Lord; appointments of all other executive officers, including acting captains, are made by the Second Sea Lord. The records are kept by the Naval Secretary to the First Lord or the Naval Assistant to the Second Sea Lord as appropriate. The organisation of both these offices is on 41W modern lines and in accordance with expert advice. The total civilian staff is 45 of whom approximately half are engaged on keeping records of officers' appointments and releases, but this number is now under review