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THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — UNITED KINGDOM
The Navy estimates for 1920-21 amounted to 84,372, ?00?. net, plus a supplementary estimate for 6,5O0,O00Z. in December, 1920, and for 1921-22 they are 82,479,0002. net. (The pre-war expenditure (1913-14) was 48,809,0002.) Four great ships are to be laid down, two soon and two later. There is to be no competitive shipbuilding.
The British Navy is a permanent establishment, governed by statutes and orders. Its administration was formerly in the hands of a Lord High Admiral, but by the Act 2 Will, and Mary, c. 2, this office was vested in a Commission. With the exception of periods in which the office has been revived — in the person of the Earl of Pembroke in the reign of William III., of Prince George of Denmark (1702-8), and of the Duke of Clarence (May, 1827-August, 1828)— it has continued to be held in commission by the Board of Admiralty. The First Lord of the Admiralty, a Cabinet Minister, is responsible for the Navy.
The duties of the Admiralty are now grouped under the two headings of Operations and Maintenance. The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff have charge and direction of the Operations Division. This Division is concerned with Naval policy and the general direction of operations, war operations in Home waters and elsewhere, strategy, tactics, the development and use of mateiial, in- cluding types of vessels and weapons, and with trade protection and anti-submarine considerations. The officers in charge and direction of the Maintenance Division are the Second Sea Lord and Chief of the Personnel, the Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy, the Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Supplies and Transport, and the Civil Lord. The Parliamentary Secretary and the Permanent Secretary are concerned with Finance and Admiralty business.
The number of officers, seamen and marines borne on January 1, 1914, and the number provided for in the estimates for 1921-22, were : —
-
Borne Jan. 1, 1914
Estimates 1921-22
Sea Service —
Other Services (training, AJ-c.) — Recruiting Oltlcers and ratings ....
1U,23« 8,015 18,042
I 7,688 1,016
► 127,WK>
Total of all ranks ....
144,871
The strength of the Navy at the date of the Armistice, November 11, 1918, was 415,000 (36.000 officers and 379, OOOmen), including the Mercantile Re- servo but excluding the Royal Nnval Division. The demobilization of officers and men proceeded rapidly. The total numbers serving (including t lie Mercantile Marine Reserves but not those who had been dispersed to
