SIR HENRY FLETCHERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If it is the 769 case that, whilst the promotion of the Subalterns of the Royal Marines is admittedly very slow, and behind that of the average of other branches of the Service, two Lieutenant Colonels have been passed over for command of Divisions of Royal Marines, and yet allowed to remain serving under officers who formerly were their juniors; and that one of these superseded officers has months ago applied for retirement; and, whether he has taken the case into his consideration?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt is the case that two lieutenant colonels have been passed over for the command of divisions of the Marines; but I cannot help thinking that it is a pity to call attention to the fact in Parliament, as, where promotion by selection exists, the choice of one officer for promotion is no reflection upon another. Since the Order in Council of 1878, the command of divisions hi the Marines is given, "without reference to seniority, to officers whose services and qualifications best justify their selection." One of the lieutenant colonels, some months ago, applied, not to retire, but to know what retiring allowance he would receive in case he retired.