§ MR. ANDERSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If it be the fact that several officers of Marines on the active list who were selected for service in South Africa were found unfit for active service, and that in some cases the disability was not of a temporary character; and, whether he intends allowing officers unable to go on active service to remain on the active list, and if the effect of doing so would not be very soon to cause other officers, quite able for active service, to be com-pulsorily retired?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHSir, it is the fact that some of the officers who were selected for service in South Africa were found, on medical examination, to be less fit than others for the peculiar service for which they were designated. The examination, however, was of a very severe character, and I have reason to believe that many of the officers who were passed over in consequence are perfectly fit for the discharge of the ordinary duties of Marine officers. If, 428 however, it should turn out that any of them are physically unfit for general service, they will be retired.