§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If the Royal Marines are represented at the Board of Admiralty by a superior officer of their own service; if the officers of a Corps which renders such distinguished service to the Country are under any disability, as 1766 regards employment on the Staff, compared to officers of the Army whose duties are analagous to their own; and, in such case, if the Lords of the Admiralty will take steps to have this and other invidious distinctions removed?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT) (Oldham)The Royal Marines are not represented at the Board of Admiralty by a superior officer of their own branch of the Service, but specially by the First Naval Lord. With regard to the latter portion of the hon. Member's Question I can only say that Marine officers are eligible for Staff appointments in the Army, and three Marine officers are now holding such appointments; but the Board of Admiralty, while fully recognizing the services rendered by this gallant Corps, have no power to make their selection for such posts more frequent than at present, the selection resting entirely with the authorities at the War Office.