§ VISCOUNT LEWISHAMasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he has considered if, in the interests of the 837 Royal Marines, it would be advisable that a general officer of that force, who should alone be responsible for all things relating to the corps, and who should have direct communication with the Civil Lord, should have a seat on the Board of Admiralty; and, further, if he has considered whether, when Officers of the Royal Marines are under the Naval Discipline Act they should have the same rights and privileges as when under the Army Discipline Act?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, we have considered the subject of the noble Viscount's first Question, and it does not appear to us either necessary or desirable that an officer of Marines should have a seat at the Board of Admiralty. The Deputy Adjutant General is now in a position fully to advise the Board on all matters relating to the internal organization and discipline of the corps. With reference to the second Question, the subject of which was prominently brought to notice during the Egyptian operations, the decision arrived at will be expressed in the Bill which it is intended to introduce for the Amendment of the Naval Discipline Act.