asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to speed up demobilisation, he will consider giving to commanding officers the power to grant compassionate release.

I regret that it is not possible to vest in commanding officers the power to release men permanently from the Royal Navy. Commanding officers already have authority to grant compassionate leave.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether instructor officers in the Royal Navy are to be demobilised with their age and service groups or under some special scheme.

Yes, Sir, instructor officers are being released in order of age and service groups.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the future programme of releases for R.N.V.R. and R.N.R. officers under the demobilisation scheme.

The answer to this Question can most conveniently be given in tabular form: