The Memorandum concludes with the expression of a hope that
the new scheme will secure for the Navy a body of officers afloat and ashore systematically trained for Staff duties, and will enable the First Sea Lord to decide and advise on the gettnd issues without being burdened with undue detail. A further paper announces the decision of the First Lord to revive the office of Additional Civil Lord with a view to relieving the Third Sea Lord (the Controller) of routine and adminis- trative functions. He will be a member of the Board of Admiralty, but non-Parliamentary and non-political, his duties being concerned with contracts and purchasing. He will he "the Admiralty buyer and business manager," but except as a member of the Board he will have no responsi- bility either for adequacy of naval preparations or for the technical suitability of materials ordered. A third paper sets forth the decision to pay off and sell the yachts appropriated to the use of the Commanders-in-Chief at the Home ports and the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet. An allowance of £500 a year will be made to the Commander-in- Chief in compensation, and it is estimated that a net annual saving of 234,850 will be secured by the change.
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