Instructions to Commanders-in-Chief and Senior Officers BRd 2

CHAPTER 7

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF AND SENIOR OFFICERS

(MOD Sponsor: DNSD)

CONTENTS

SECTION I - GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Para
J.0701. Unified Commands
0702. Single Service Commanders-in-Chief
0703. General responsibility of Commanders-in-Chief
0704. War Organization
0705. Reporting
0706. Accidents and Serious Defects
0707. General duties
0708. Expiration of appointment
0709. War Diaries
0710. Commander-in-Chief Absent
0711. Personal staff
0712. Senior staff officers
0713. Other staff officers
0714. Secretaries to Flag Officers and Commodores

SECTION II - INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO SHIPS

0721. Notification of exercises

0722. Ships and Aircraft not to be Sent Beyond Station
0723. Change or Modification of Ships’ Fighting Equipment
0724. Stores
0725. Upkeep and Repair
0726. Royal Yachts
0727. Musters and Inspections
0728. Inspection of Royal Marines Detachments
0729. Responsibilities of Senior Officer Present
0730. Ships on Special Duties
0731. Senior Officer at Sea
0732. Speed of Ships. (See Chapter 10, Sect. III)
0733. Economy of Fuel
0734. Assistance to Merchant Vessels
0735. Commission of Ships
0736. Marine Services’ Craft
0737. Ministry of Defence Moorings
0738. Towing operations by Ministry of Defence (Navy)

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SECTION III - INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO SHORE ESTABLISHMENTS

0751. Naval Establishments Abroad

0752. Authority Over Naval Establishments in the United Kingdom
0753. Security in the United Kingdom
0754. Inspections of shore establishments
0755. Civilian Employment Arrangements
0756. Acquisition, Disposal and Management of Land and Buildings
J.0757. Works, Repairs and Shore Machinery (Outside Dockyards)

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CHAPTER 7

INSTRUCTIONS TO COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF AND SENIOR OFFICERS

SECTION I - GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

J.0701. Unified Commands

1. Unified Commanders normally command all British forces allocated to their

operational area subject to the terms of any directives which may be issued to them. The
single Service Commanders in the area exercise command of the allocated naval, land
and air forces under the overall command of the Unified Commander. Single Service
Commanders are normally responsible direct to their respective boards for matters of
single Service administration and finance, but the Commander of the unified command is
nonetheless expected to exercise the oversight and co-ordination necessary to ensure the
most efficient functioning of the command and maximum economy in its administration.

0702. Single Service Commanders-in-Chief

1. With regard to the instructions in this chapter, the term Commander-in-Chief is to be

taken to include:

• Commander-in-Chief Fleet

• Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command

• Commandant General Royal Marines

0703. General responsibility of Commanders-in-Chief

1. The Commander-in-Chief (or Naval Commander in a unified command) is responsible

for the full command, training and efficiency of the forces under his command. He is
responsible for the administration of his command.

2. He is subject to the terms of his directive from the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval
Staff, which supplements the instructions in this chapter in relation to his command. The
directive is amplified further in his terms of reference, published in BR 33.

3. He will be assisted by appropriate staff officers and may delegate to the Chief of Staff,
or to nominated Chief Staff Officers, such responsibilities as he may consider desirable,
authorizing them to issue orders and instructions in his name, subject to any prescribed
limitations.

4. Flag Officers accountable to the Admiralty Board of the Defence Council, although not
Commanders-in-Chief, are to be guided by the instructions in this chapter in the
administration of their commands.

5. Commodores accountable to the Admiralty Board of the Defence Council, although

not Commanders-in-Chief, are to be guided by the instructions in this chapter in the
administration of their commands.

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0704. War Organization

1. The Commander-in-Chief is responsible for the preparation of war plans and war
orders in accordance with instructions issued by the Ministry of Defence and is to ensure
that these are always ready for immediate implementation if so ordered.

0705. Reporting

1. He is to report when necessary on matters which he considers should be brought to

the attention of the Ministry of Defence.

0706. Accidents and Serious Defects

1. When any accident happens which causes entire or partial disablement of a ship for
service, i.e. serious fires or boiler room explosions, or when any serious defect is
discovered in the hull armament, machinery or boilers, the cause of which is not clear, the
senior officer present is to direct a board of inquiry or ship’s investigation to be held at once
as to the cause of the accident or defect; and a full report with evidence, finding and
sketches is to be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence in accordance with Para 5706.

2. All aircraft accidents and incidents are to be investigated and reported in accordance
with JSP 318, Military Flying Regulations.

3. All accidents or defects affecting the readiness for sea of any of the ships or vessels
under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief and which involve, or are considered likely to
involve any disciplinary action by the Admiralty Board to an officer, are to be reported to
the Ministry of Defence in accordance with Para 5706, with an expression of opinion where
necessary whether or not a board of inquiry or other investigation is held.

0707. General duties

1. As soon as practicable after assuming command the Commander-in-Chief shall

acquaint himself with the state, condition and capabilities of the ships and aircraft under
his orders and with the manner in which they are manned. He is to find out the skill,
capacity, and intelligence of his Captains in order that he may make the fittest selection for
any particular service. He is to ensure that his ships are equipped expeditiously and kept
ready for service, and if he discovers any defects in their stores and fittings or in the ships
themselves which make them in any way unfit for service, he is at once to inform the
Ministry of Defence.

0708. Expiration of appointment

1. A Commander-in-Chief or Flag Officer-in-Command of a fleet, squadron or station, on

relinquishing his command, is to deliver to his successor the originals or authenticated
copies of all unexecuted orders, general regulations and other documents he may have
received for his information or guidance, and is to furnish him with all other information
likely to be of service.

2. On striking his flag, on the expiration of his appointment, he is to attend at the Ministry
of Defence to give such information respecting his command as he thinks necessary.

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0709. War Diaries

1. In time of war, in periods of active operations or strained relations on their station, or

when ordered by the Ministry of Defence, Commanders-in-Chief and officers-in-charge of
subcommands are to keep a diary of policy, planning and events in their commands. The
diary is needed to facilitate research into the effect of wartime policy, measures and
operations and to provide material for the compilation of staff histories. The diary should
be rendered monthly in duplicate to the Ministry of Defence in the following form:

SECTION I. Synopsis of Policy, Planning and Principal Events

This section should contain an explanation of origin and progress of principal
occurrences and activities in the command. Operations covered by a separate report
should only be summarized and reference made to the serial number and date of the
main report. References to daily Commanders-in-Chief/Ministry of Defence signals
should be included.

SECTION II. Day by Day Record of Events

This should include the dispositions and movements of HM ships; the Fleet or Station
Daily State; the arrival and departure of convoys and independently routed merchant
ships; loss of and damage to HM ships; loss and damage to merchant ships within the
command and whether they were in convoy or sailing independently; brief statements
on enemy activities within the command and countermeasures taken.

SECTION III. Monthly Summary of Losses of and Damage to British and Allied
Warships and Merchant Ships

SECTION IV. Monthly Summary of Shipping Movements recorded in Section II

SECTION V. The Standing Orders issued in the Fleet or on the Station

(This is additional to copies forwarded under Para 0721.)

0710. Commander-in-Chief Absent

1. In the absence of the Commander-in-Chief his duties are to be carried out by the Chief
of Staff or in the absence of the latter by the senior officer present.

0711. Personal staff

1. Naval Secretary will consult Flag Officers and Commodores concerning the selection
of officers as their Secretaries and Flag Lieutenants.

2. Admirals’ Secretaries and Commodores’ Secretaries (Chapter 12) are selected from
officers specialized in supply and secretariat duties as follows:

Secretary to Must be on list of

Commander-in-Chief )
Flag Officer in large independent command ) Captains or Commanders
)
Naval member of the Admiralty Board
)
Other Flag Officers or Commodores Commanders or Lieutenant-Commanders

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3. The lowest substantive rank to be held by an officer selected for appointment as

Secretary to a Flag Officer or Commodore or naval Member of the Admiralty Board is that
of Lieutenant-Commander, of such seniority in his rank as the Admiralty Board may
decide. See Para 0714 on acting and temporary rank.

0712. Senior staff officers

1. The Chief of Staff or Chief Staff Officer and other staff officers of the rank of Captain
and above will be appointed by the Ministry of Defence (Naval Secretary). See also 0324
sub para 4.

0713. Other staff officers

1. Other staff officers will be appointed by the Ministry of Defence (Naval Secretary),
being selected from those who are qualified and suitable for the appointments to be filled.
Officers of the rank of Commander, Lieutenant-Commander and Lieutenant will not be
employed continuously in staff appointments, but will be required to revert periodically to
the general duties of their rank.

0714. Secretaries to Flag Officers and Commodores

1. At Admiralty Board discretion, officers of the supply and secretariat specialization

holding certain appointments as Secretaries to Flag Officers and Commodores may be
granted one step in acting rank and, if necessary, a further step in rank. Any such further
step in rank shall, exceptionally, be described as ‘temporary’ but shall count for purposes
of command and status as the equivalent of acting rank. (See also Para 0711.)

0715 - 0720. Unallocated

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SECTION II - INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO SHIPS

0721. Notification of exercises

1. The Commander-in-Chief or senior officer is to ensure that the various authorities

concerned (e.g., coastguards, fishery and air traffic control authorities) are notified of any
exercises and firing practices, including the laying of obstructions, which he intends to
carry out.

2. Warnings to Aircraft. Warnings to aircraft of practices constituting an air hazard are

issued by air traffic control authorities by Class 1 or 2 Notam on the International Notam
Network in enough time for pilots to take account of it in their flight planning. The
notification required to be given to the National Air Traffic Control Service authorities in the
UK Flight Information Regions by Commanders-in-Chief and senior officers depends
principally on the area in which the firing is taking place, and is shown in BR 1043, Gunnery
and Guided Weapons User Instructions. These principles are valid throughout the world
and Commanders-in-Chief and Flag Officers should issue the necessary local orders. The
requirements for the notifications and clearance of air exercises are contained in JSP 318,
Military Flying Regulations.

3. Warnings to Shipping. Warnings to shipping in general regarding firing danger areas

and fleet and submarine exercises are promulgated in Annual Notices to Mariners
Numbers 5, 7, 8 and 10 issued at the beginning of each year. These warnings are
adequate for normal practices and exercises, but if the practice or exercise is likely to
involve unusual danger to shipping (for example, night exercises involving darkened ships,
submarines, flares, etc.), or to interfere to an exceptional degree with traffic on busy routes
or with fishing activities (for example, minesweeping exercises), the Commander-in-Chief
Naval Home Command is to ask the Hydrographer of the Navy to issue a radio
navigational warning and/or Notice to Mariners (a request for a Notice to Mariners should
be made at least 21 days in advance) and Commander-in-Chief Fleet is to issue a radio
warning and, if necessary, a local Notice to Mariners.

4. Anti-submarine Mortar Firings. The notification required for anti-submarine mortar

firings is contained in current DCIs (RN).

5. Minesweeping Exercises. When a special warning is required for a minesweeping

exercise, the area concerned is to be specified and the duration of the exercise stated.
When a dummy minefield is laid and has to be swept, the estimated limits of the area in
which the sweepers will have their sweeps out is also to be given. Special warnings are to
be issued for all mine countermeasures exercises and the appropriate Ministries with
responsibilities are to be informed.

0722. Ships and Aircraft not to be Sent Beyond Station

1. Unless otherwise ordered, the senior officer shall not send any Flag Officer, squadron,
or ship beyond the limits of his station, except for very urgent reasons which should at once
be reported to the Ministry of Defence.

2. Except when ordered, or on urgent public duty, or for important reasons of

communication, he shall not send any of his aircraft beyond the limits of his station. Any
such exceptional case should be reported at once to the Ministry of Defence.

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0723. Change or Modification of Ships’ Fighting Equipment

1. Should circumstances arise which make necessary any change in a ship’s fighting
equipment or in her established proportion of arms, without the previous sanction of the
Ministry of Defence (Director-General Surface or Underwater Weapons (Naval)), the
Commander-in-Chief (CINCFLEET) or senior officer who either sanctions or is informed of
such a change is immediately to report the particulars to the Ministry of Defence (Director-
General Aircraft (Naval)), but no such change is ever to be made unless absolutely
necessary for the fighting efficiency or safety of the ship or safety of personnel. Where
armament stores are concerned, a copy of the report is to be sent to the Armament Supply
Officer at the port from which the ship operates.

2. Normally, no modification of any description is to be made in naval armament stores

on board HM ships without the sanction of the Ministry of Defence (Director-General
Surface or Underwater Weapons (Naval) and Director-General Stores and Transport
(Naval) (PDST(AS)). The Commander-in-Chief may sanction urgent modifications but a
full report is to be made immediately to the Ministry of Defence.

0724. Stores

1. The Commander-in-Chief is responsible for anticipating the requirements, in all

circumstances, of all descriptions of stores for his fleet and for ensuring that the
arrangements for meeting these requirements are satisfactory and economical. Should he
find it necessary to make local contracts for the supply of any stores he is to invite tenders
as laid down in BR 96, Materiel Accounting and Storekeeping Manual.

2. In making arrangements for the disposition of the ships under his orders, the senior
officer is to take measures to avoid as far as possible the need to replenish with stores by
local purchases in the open market. When he does authorize local purchases he should
take note of the relevant regulations and he is to ensure that they are observed in the ships
under his orders.

3. He is to offer any suggestions for improving the method of receiving supplies of stores
from sources other than on the station, and for obtaining local supplies.

4. He is to inform Captains on detached service where they can most readily and
economically replenish their stores in case of need.

5. He is to see that all stores and public money that can be spared from ships returning
home are returned or transferred to other ships, the usual transfer vouchers being used.

0725. Upkeep and Repair

1. The Commander-in-Chief is responsible for implementing policies on the upkeep and

repair of ships under his command. He is to co-ordinate the actions necessary to make
good defects arising during operational time. The assistance of DGSR may be sought to
place contracts for work beyond the capability of ship and base staff, but all costs for such
work are to be borne by the allocation of Vote 5 delegated to the Commander-in-Chief for
unprogrammed work.

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0726. Royal Yachts

1. He is to take care that no orders are issued to or authority exercised in respect to HM

yachts while Her Majesty’s Standard is flying or while HM yachts are acting under special
instructions from Her Majesty, or from the Ministry of Defence in accordance with Her
Majesty’s commands.

0727. Musters and Inspections

1. The Commander-in-Chief or senior officer is to arrange that ships under his full
command are inspected at least once in every two years of operational time. This does not
preclude a Commander-in-Chief, other Flag Officer or Commanding Officer from ordering
a special inspection if circumstances indicate that this is appropriate.

2. Except when the Commander-in-Chief or senior officer carries out a personal

inspection, he is to depute this duty to an officer under his orders, senior to the Captain of
the ship to be inspected, who is to render to him the report of inspection.

0728. Inspection of Royal Marines Detachments

1. Under the directions of the Commander-in-Chief or senior officer, the detachments

embarked in ships are to be inspected from time to time, either afloat or on shore, by the
senior or some other Royal Marines officer present. No such Royal Marines officer,
however, is to inspect a detachment in the charge of an officer of the corps senior to
himself. (See 0727 sub para 2.)

2. Should the senior Royal Marines officer present be serving in command of the
detachment on board the ship inspected, he is nevertheless to inspect and report on the
condition of the detachment and of the efficiency of the landing organization.

3. When there is no inspecting Royal Marines officer at hand, the detachments may be
inspected by the senior non-commissioned officer available, whether or not he be in
command of the detachment inspected.

0729. Responsibilities of Senior Officer Present

1. The Flag or senior officer present is, in matters relating to ships under his orders at
the time, to be guided by the foregoing instructions to Commanders-in-Chief, as well as by
the following clauses.

2. He is frequently to exercise the ships. If at any time a ship displays a marked degree
of excellence in any department, the name of any officer especially commendable is to be
reported to the Ministry of Defence. If a ship obtains markedly poor results, an inquiry is to
be held into the circumstances, at which the method of training employed and the
conditions under which the practice was carried out are to be fully investigated. The report,
with the minutes of the evidence and the Commander-in-Chief’s remarks on the
conclusions, is to be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence at the discretion of the
Commander-in-Chief.

3. He is to take the closest interest in all the ships of the force or squadron which are put
under his orders; he is to see that their crews are properly disciplined; that all orders and
regulations are punctually attended to and obeyed; and that the stores are kept as
complete, and the ships in every respect as fit for service, as possible.

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4. He is to receive all reports of the state of the ships and of their defects, applications
for repair and refitting, demands for stores and representations of the state of their crews
or of the misconduct of their officers and men, as being responsible to the Commander-in-
Chief for the good order, discipline, and efficiency of the force or squadron which he
commands.

0730. Ships on Special Duties

1. Although surveying ships and other ships ordered by the Ministry of Defence to carry
out special duties are to be considered as being under the orders of the Commander-in-
Chief of the station on which they happen to be operating, their programmes and the
directions for their movements will as a rule be ordered by the Ministry of Defence and they
are not, when so employed, to be interrupted in their work or required to conform to the
directions of the senior officer present.

2. Should it be necessary in pressing circumstances to divert them from their special

duties or to interfere with their establishments full particulars of any changes are to be
reported at once to the Ministry of Defence by the senior officer.

3. The Commander-in-Chief’s responsibilities in regard to Royal Fleet Auxiliaries are

defined in BR 875, Regulations for Royal Fleet Auxiliaries.

0731. Senior Officer at Sea

1. The senior officer when at sea is normally the Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) and
also, when appropriate, the Officer Conducting the Exercise (OCE) but either or both of
these duties may be delegated to another officer or officers; nevertheless delegation of
either or both of these duties does not absolve the senior officer of the responsibility of
exercising an overriding control of ships under his orders where the situation demands it.

2. The Officer Conducting the Exercise is to issue the necessary orders for the exercise
to ensure that safety precautions are observed and that the exercise is properly
conducted.

3. The Officer in Tactical Command is to be particularly attentive in observing that the

ship which carries his flag, broad pendant or pendant, and all the ships under his orders,
keep to their station precisely in whatever formation the unit may be; and when any
evolution is being performed he is to note closely how the ships under his orders carry it
out, and maintain the highest possible standard.

4. He may correct the mistake or negligence of a ship in another unit whenever it is

probable that, from their relative stations, the ship cannot properly be seen by the officer
commanding the unit to which she belongs or whenever, in the presence of an enemy, the
officer commanding the unit, whatever his situation, does not himself immediately correct
such mistakes or negligence.

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0732. Speed of Ships. (See Chapter 10, Section III)

1. Except where exercising, or where for other reasons a high speed is obligatory, and
except for diesel-engined ships and craft, the most economical speed, within economical
speed range as defined in Clause 3, is to be employed when making passages from port
to port or between harbour and an exercise area.

2. Diesel-engined ships and craft, and submarines, are to proceed at the speed ordered
by the senior officer, due regard being paid to the maintenance requirements of the main
engines. For this reason single-engine running is to be employed whenever possible.

3. The economical speed for ships is that range of speeds within which the endurance
of the ship is not less than 95 per cent of the maximum endurance under the conditions
prevailing at the time.

4. On occasions Flag and Commanding Officers may consider that some departure from
the most economical speed is justified but ships on passage, except in an emergency or
for operational reasons, are not to exceed the highest speed on the economical speed
range based on the endurance for the ship with a foul hull, in temperate waters at half an
hour’s notice for full speed.

5. In the case of gas turbine ships, unless dictated by an emergency or operational

reasons, the speed on passage is not to exceed that which can be achieved by running
the engines at Life Factor 1 under the prevailing temperature conditions.

6. When ships are proceeding on long passages independently the Engineer Officer
should be given some latitude to vary the revolutions per minute so that the engines may
be steamed under conditions of maximum economy.

0733. Economy of Fuel

1. Officers in command of fleets, squadrons or single ships are at all times to be careful
to be economical in the consumption of fuel, consistent with the service on which they are
engaged; and, as a rule, all appliances for economizing in fuel which are fitted to each
particular ship are to be utilized.

0734. Assistance to Merchant Vessels

1. If a shipowner, his agent, or the Master of a transport or auxiliary vessel chartered or

owned by Her Majesty’s Government, is unable to fill essential vacancies in the
complement at a port abroad, the Master is authorized to apply to the senior officer for
assistance. Assistance should be rendered at the discretion of the senior officer and the
circumstances reported to the Ministry of Defence and to the Department of Trade (Sea
Transport Division), London. (See Para 3705 on discipline of men lent to merchant
vessels.)

2. When employed on naval service such vessels may also require naval assistance in
connection with repairs, defence, victualling, storing and fitting out for special duties as
prescribed in other publications.

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0735. Commission of Ships

1. When a ship is commissioned as a tender, this is to be stated in the report of

commissioning.

2. Ships of the following classes, when in commission, will normally have the status of
independent commands:

Aircraft carriers Destroyers

Cruisers Frigates
Assault ships Ice patrol ships
Commando ships The Royal Yacht
Depot ships Deep diving vessels
Fleet maintenance ships Fleet tugs
Repair ships
Salvage ships (when RN manned)
Surveying ships

3. On the commissioning of a ship over which he has full command, or for a ship lying
within the limits of his geographical command other than a ship under the full command of
another Commander-in-Chief or Flag Officer, he is to issue to the duly-appointed
Commanding Officer designate a commissioning order, which is to be read to the ship’s
company on the day of the commissioning.

0736. Marine Services’ Craft

1. The Commander-in-Chief is responsible for co-ordinating all matters concerning

Marine Services craft and is to be aware of the capabilities and logistic requirements of all
such craft required in war. More detailed guidance is given in BR 8581, Management
Regulations for HM Naval Bases and other MOD (Navy) Establishments.

0737. Ministry of Defence Moorings

1. Whenever there are any Navy, Army or Air Force moorings laid down within the limits
of his station, at such a distance as to render it impracticable for the officer responsible for
them to examine them frequently and regularly, he is to make arrangements for their being
periodically examined by one of the ships under his command. The result is in every case
to be communicated to the officer-in-charge of the moorings, who will take such action as
he considers necessary.

2. More detailed guidance on moorings is given in BR 8581, Management Regulations

for HM Naval Bases and other MOD (Navy) Establishments.

0738. Towing operations by Ministry of Defence (Navy)

1. Coastal and ocean tows of HM ships, RFAs and other Ministry of Defence-owned
vessels are normally arranged by Ministry of Defence (Navy) (Director of Marine Services
(Naval)) and undertaken by Royal Maritime Auxiliary tugs.

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2. The Sea Area Commander (or other authority delegated by him) will be responsible
for:

a. Ensuring that the vessel to be towed is prepared, rigged and ready in all
respects for the tow.

b. Authorising the tow to proceed and monitoring its progress and safety.

c. Ensuring that a towing conference is convened for major or unusual tows

before sailing, which should be attended by the Towing Master, Officer-in-
Charge of the towing crew and other authorities, including the Staff
Meteorological Officer or his representative as required by the Sea Area
Commander.

d. Deciding, in consultation with DMS(N), whether the ship to be towed, if out of

commission, should be manned with a towing crew or not.

3. Detailed instructions for MOD tows undertaken by the Royal Maritime Auxiliary
Service are contained in BR 8514, Marine Services Manual, Chapter 5 (Towing), which
should be consulted.

4. Instructions for Towing Admiralty Docks. In addition to the instructions in BR 8514,

it will be necessary to consult BR 8581, Chapter 47 paras 4732 to 4736 in respect of the
towage of Admiralty floating docks.

0739 - 0750. Unallocated

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SECTION III - INSTRUCTIONS RELATING TO SHORE ESTABLISHMENTS

(See also BR 8581, Management Regulations for HM Naval Bases and other MOD(Navy)
Establishments)

Note. Attention is directed to the Explanation of Terms on p. xxiii which defines naval, fleet,
civil and medical establishments.

0751. Naval Establishments Abroad

1. The Commander-in-Chief or senior officer is responsible for the discipline and

administration of fleet establishments, being guided by the instructions in 0752.1sub para
c, in his dealings with medical establishments. He is also to have authority and control of
the civil establishments within his command in regard to the general transactions of the
Service, but he is not to interfere with the management of any of these establishments,
unless, in his opinion, a particular and sufficient cause makes it necessary, when he is to
report to the Ministry of Defence the nature of the order given and his reasons for
interfering. The head of a civil establishment, if he considers that any public inconvenience
is likely to arise from compliance with an order given to him by the Commander-in-Chief is
to make representations to the Commander-in-Chief stating the objections. If the
Commander-in-Chief should still direct his order to be complied with it is to be obeyed
without further delay or discussion, the Commander-in-Chief becoming wholly responsible
to the Ministry of Defence for the necessity of the measure; but the head of the civil
establishment on receiving the order may, if he thinks fit, send to the Ministry of Defence,
with a copy to the Commander-in-Chief, any observations upon it he may wish to submit
for consideration.

2. Absence of C-in-C. In the absence of the Commander-in-Chief all the control and
authority vested in him under this Article are to be exercised fully and effectively by the
Senior Naval Officer present, provided such officer is not below the rank of Commander.

3. Civil establishments abroad without superintendents. The Commander-in-Chief

may suspend any officer for misconduct, but he is at once to report in full his reasons for
doing so. If the suspended officer is in charge of money or stores he is to hold a survey
immediately and to transfer remains to new accounts in order that those of the suspended
officer may be investigated properly.

4. Civil establishment vacancies. If a vacancy should occur among the officers of a

civil establishment abroad, or among the civil officers of a medical establishment abroad,
the Commander-in-Chief or senior officer is not to fill such a vacancy by appointing an
officer from the fleet with an acting order. If, however, because of a vacancy occurring
owing to suspension, death or ill health, the temporary services of an officer are urgently
needed, a qualified officer from one of the ships under the orders of the Commander-in-
Chief or senior officer may, if he can be spared, be lent to the establishment. When this is
done the Commander-in-Chief or senior officer is to report his reasons to the Ministry of
Defence, which will deal with any question of remuneration beyond the officer’s pay and
allowances.

5. Ill health of officers. The Commander-in-Chief or senior officer is not to permit an

officer to quit his station on account of ill health except on the advice of three of the senior
medical officers present, including the medical officer-in-charge of the hospital, if any.
Permission is not to be granted to any officers of these establishments to return to the
United Kingdom without prior Ministry of Defence permission.

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0752. Authority Over Naval Establishments in the United Kingdom

1. Subject to any special instructions issued by the Ministry of Defence, the Commander-
in-Chief is responsible for the discipline and administration of fleet establishments within
his command, except:

a. Naval air stations and establishments. These are the responsibility of the
Assistant Chief of Staff Carrier Strike and Aviation (ACOS(CSAV)).

b. Royal Marines establishments. The Major-Generals Royal Marines are

directly responsible to the Commandant-General Royal Marines for the
discipline and administration of these establishments. They maintain the
closest liaison with the Commanders-in-Chief and advise them on all matters
concerning the Royal Marines establishments which are within their
commands.

c. Medical establishments. The Commander-in-Chief is responsible for the

discipline and administration of medical establishments within his command,
but he is not to interfere in subjects of a purely medical character, or
connected with the professional treatment of patients, or in such other matters
for which the medical officer-in-charge of the establishment is directly
responsible to the Ministry of Defence (Medical Director-General (Naval)).

2. Civil Establishments in the United Kingdom. These are divided into two classes,
operational and detached. Operational establishments comprise establishments which are
functionally part of the Commander-in-Chief’s command and which exist primarily to meet
the operational requirements of the Commander-in-Chief and to support the forces under
his orders; establishments in this category include dockyards, victualling yards and store
or armament depots at, or closely linked with, ports in command, also RN aircraft yards
and workshops in support of ACOS(CSAV). Detached establishments comprise research,
development and production establishments, detached store and other depots which are
functionally responsible to the Ministry of Defence, and exist for the support of the Navy
as a whole, irrespective of geographical location. Each Commander-in-Chief should
promulgate a list of civil establishments in his command giving their classification in
accordance with this Clause and particulars of any arrangements made under Clause 7.
Copies of such lists and of any later amendments should be forwarded to the Ministry of
Defence.

3. Operational civil establishments. In dealing with operational civil establishments

the Commander-in-Chief’s position is generally as laid down in Para 0751 for civil
establishments abroad, that is, he has authority and control in respect of the general
transactions of the Service but should not interfere with their management or internal
organization, for which the heads of civil establishments are responsible to the Ministry of
Defence unless other arrangements are made in particular instances.

4. Detached civil establishments. The heads of detached civil establishments are

responsible direct to the Ministry of Defence, and the responsibilities of the Commander-
in-Chief within whose area they are situated are limited to those indicated in Clause 5,
except that he has general administrative control over all naval personnel serving within
his command and general operational control over HM ships and other craft which are
attached to naval establishments and are working in his sea area.

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5. Naval establishments. In respect of all naval establishments, other than those

referred to in Clauses 6 and 7, situated within the area of his command the Commander-
in-Chief is:

a. To supervise naval defence requirements, signal communications and

passive defence arrangements (other than at Ministry of Defence
Headquarters buildings).

b. To be acquainted with and advise Army, Royal Air Force and civil authorities
as required on naval activities within the area.

And, as may be required by the Ministry of Defence:

c. To co-ordinate the works and machinery proposals (excepting machinery

proposals for dockyards and for those establishments where they are normally
met from block grants allocated to parent departments).

d. To report on losses which result from fire, theft or damage. (Reports on losses
which result from theft or damage in detached civil establishments are
normally forwarded direct to the Ministry of Defence, (see Para 0706 and
Para 5705) when boards of inquiry are held.)

The Ministry of Defence will keep the Commander-in-Chief informed of all changes in
policy or activities which affect the defence requirements of civil establishments.

6. Air establishments. ACOS(CSAV) is responsible for carrying out the functions

detailed in Clauses 3 and 5 in respect of air establishments at home wherever situated. In
respect of the responsibilities mentioned in paragraphs 5 sub para a and sub para b he is
to work in close liaison with the Commander-in-Chief of the area concerned.

7. Ancillary establishments. In certain circumstances, the Commander-in-Chief of the

area in which a parent establishment is situated retains administrative responsibility for an
ancillary establishment located in a different command area. The naval authority of the
latter area should, however, be kept advised of activities affecting defence requirements
in connection with the ancillary establishment.

8. Naval production organization and NROs. The instructions given in this Article do
not affect the Ministry of Defence naval production organization or the responsibilities of
Naval Regional Officers. In view, however, of the close contact maintained by Naval
Regional Officers with the regional representatives of the civil and supply departments,
naval authorities may find it convenient in certain matters to work through, or delegate
responsibility to, the Naval Regional Officers.

9. Civil establishments - general guidance. In their relations with civil establishments

situated within their sub-command areas, Flag Officers and naval officers-in-charge
should be guided by the foregoing instructions to Commanders-in-Chief.

0753. Security in the United Kingdom

1. The Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command is to co-ordinate the application of

naval security policy throughout the Naval Service in the United Kingdom.

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0754. Inspections of shore establishments

1. The Commander-in-Chief is to arrange that establishments under his full command
are inspected at least once every two and a half years. The inspecting officer is always to
be senior to the Captain or Commanding Officer of the establishment to be inspected. He
is to be assisted by appropriate staff and specialist officers.
2. When a staff officer is also an officer appointed for duties with the establishment being
inspected, he is to obtain where possible the services of a specialist or sub-specialist
officer senior to the one being inspected to assist him in that part of the inspection.
3. For colleges and naval training establishments, under his full command, the
Commander-in-Chief is to assess the manner in which the training task is being
undertaken, including the adequacy of staff, equipment and buildings provided.
4. Sick quarters. The Commander-in-Chief is to arrange that sick quarters within his
command are inspected at least once every two and a half years. Any salient points arising
from the inspections are to be forwarded to Surgeon Rear-Admiral (Support Medical
Services) - SRA(SMS).
5. Telecommunications facilities. The Commander-in-Chief is to arrange for a biennial
inspection of shore telecommunications facilities under his command. When a facility is in
care and maintenance, it is to be inspected annually.
6. At certain telecommunications facilities inspections will be carried out at the same time
as inspection by the Controller Defence Communications Network (CDCN), who will be
concerned only with strategic facilities. A Communications Officer on the staff of
Commander-in-Chief Fleet will normally assist the CDCN.
7. The technical inspection of the facility will be carried out by staff of Shore
Telecommunications Maintenance Authority, HMS Collingwood in accordance with
BR 2000.
0755. Civilian Employment Arrangements
1. The Commander-in-Chief is not to alter any conditions of service or scales of
remuneration of civilian employees serving from the United Kingdom or, unless authority
to determine such matters has been specifically delegated to him, of locally-entered
civilian employees, without prior Ministry of Defence approval, or to create any place or
office or add to authorized complements except in accordance with specific instructions or
in emergency, in which case details should be reported to the Ministry of Defence as soon
as possible.
0756. Acquisition, Disposal and Management of Land and Buildings
1. The senior officer is not to sanction the purchase of any land or buildings without prior
Ministry of Defence approval.
2. He is not to sanction the hiring of land or buildings without prior Ministry of Defence
approval unless, in exceptional circumstances, the urgency of the requirement does not
permit the loss of time that would be involved in seeking such prior approval. In such
urgent cases he is to ensure that the right to end the hiring at short notice is reserved to
the Ministry of Defence and he is to report the matter to the Ministry for covering approval
without delay, taking care to set out the purpose and period for which the premises have
been hired.

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3. He is only to propose or sanction the purchase or hiring of land or buildings when

absolutely necessary.

4. In time of emergency when special powers for the requisitioning of property are in
force he is to conform to the instructions laid down for such occasions.

5. Subject to such local powers in connection with the letting of property as may have
been conferred by the Ministry of Defence he is not to sanction the sale, transfer or letting
of Ministry of Defence property, land or buildings without prior Ministry of Defence
approval.

6. He is to have due regard to the advice of the appropriate officer of the Property
Services Agency covering the area in all matters concerning the acquisition, hiring,
disposal and management of property, land and buildings and in regard to the
maintenance and management of gardens and trees.

7. He is to ensure that all possible steps are taken to rid Ministry of Defence property of
pests. Guidance is contained in Form D.335.

8. Ministry of Defence land and property is to be kept under continuous review by

Commanding Officers and heads of establishments in consultation with the Defence Land
Agent or Senior Estate Surveyor. Land for which there is no foreseeable Defence use is to
be declared surplus.

0757. Works, Repairs and Shore Machinery (Outside Dockyards)

1. Subject to such powers as are conferred upon him in connection with block allocations
made by the Department of the Environment for minor works and by the Ministry of
Defence under Vote 7K210 for functional machinery within the limits which are fixed
annually, the Commander-in-Chief is not to order any new works or alterations to be
undertaken, nor any repairs except such as may be urgent and absolutely necessary for
the preservation of buildings or structures. He is to submit proposals for consideration with
annual estimates for any new works, machinery, alterations or improvements which are
outside the powers delegated to him, placing them in order of relative importance in
accordance with instructions which may be issued from time to time.

J.0758. Works Services, Land and Property

1. Joint instructions concerning responsibility for works services, land and property,
including the management and disposal of redundant land and property are contained in
BR 1753, Navy Works Handbook.

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