asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to extend to the Navy and the Royal Air Force the War Office policy of reducing the age of those holding high command; and whether in future health and physical fitness will be regarded as an essential qualification for high command in all the three Defence Services?

The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that when appointments to the high command in the Defence Services are being considered, my right hon. Friends the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for Air will continue to give full weight to all relevant considerations, including the age, health and physical fitness of the officers concerned.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the case that the First Sea Lord is 12 years older than the youngest member of his Board, and 14 years older than the average age of the members of the Air Council; and is it not desirable that there should be an approximation of average ages between the Air Council, the Army Council and the Board of Admiralty?

May I ask by what methods the right hon. Gentleman gives his consideration to the health of officers whom it is proposed to promote to the higher command? Is there any medical examination of any shape or kind, or does he just have a look at them?

That question might be addressed to the head of the Department responsible.

Is not the First Sea Lord to whom the hon. and gallant Member referred a highly efficient officer?

On a point of Order. In questions which appear on the Order Paper ought not the Navy to be properly described as the Royal Navy?

May I have a reply to my supplementary question, as it is very important that there should be a similarity of mental outlook in matters affecting the co-ordination of Defence?