Order in Council of 22 February, 1870

The Order in Council of 22 February, 1870, was a piece of British legislation which introduced a comprehensive system of retirement in the officer ranks of the Royal Navy.

Order in Council

WHEREAS we have had under our consideration the present state of the Active Lists of Flag Officers, Captains, Commanders, and Lieutenants, and the Regulations, now in force governing the retirement of these Officers as sanctioned by Your Majesty's several Orders in Council of 1st August, 1860, 9th July, 1864, and 24th March, 1866; and whereas We are of opinion that, notwithstanding the reductions effected by these successive schemes of retirement, the Lists still exceed in number the requirements of Your Majesty's Service, and that, with the view of increasing the efficiency of Officers by securing to them more frequent employment, an extended and more comprehensive scheme of compulsory and voluntary retirement should be made, applicable to all ranks in these portions of the Executive Branch of the Naval Service.

We would propose to Your Majesty, in order to effect the changes which appear to Us so manifestly imperative:—

a reduction in the number of Flag Officers on the Active List and of the above-named Officers of the military ranks of Your Majesty's Navy generally;

an improved scale of retired pay as a just and honourable reward for past and meritorious service;

a more equal and rapid promotion to the higher grades of the Service, and due encouragement to Officers to serve whilst in health and vigour.

We further most humbly submit certain alterations in the definition of Sea Service and Harbour Service; in the length of Sea Service hitherto required to qualify Officers for promotion, which in some cases We have not deemed sufficient; and in the amount and distribution of Good Service and Greenwich Hospital Pensions; all of which we are convinced will greatly conduce to the advantage of Your Majesty's Naval Service.

We would further submit to Your Majesty some temporary provisions which we are humbly of opinion will fully compensate Officers whose future prospects are affected, and allay any possible feelings of regret at being compulsorily retired from the Active List of Your Majesty's Navy.

In order to accomplish the important objects which We have in view, we humbly submit that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to sanction the following propositions, and authorise Us to carry the several arrangements herein contemplated into operation from the 1st April, 1870.