§ SIR JOHN HAYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the rumour is true that the rank of Honorary General of Marines is to be revived in favour of a Flag Officer; whether any emolument is to be attached to the office, if created; and, whether the Admiralty have considered the Order in Council of 1837, which abolished the appropriation of this rank to officers of the Navy, and the approval of that abolition by the Royal Commission of 1840?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, it is proposed to appoint His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to be honorary colonel of the Corps of Royal Marines. This is in no sense a revival of the former rank of honorary general, which was a paid sinecure office. The rank of honorary colonel is to be conferred on the Duke of Edinburgh, not 488 as a flag officer, but as a Prince of the blood; the position will be purely honorary, with no emoluments and no duties in connection with the corps; and the Board of Admiralty have reason to believe that the compliment thus conferred will be highly appreciated by the officers and men of the Royal Marines.
§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether, to allay the feeling of mortification amongst the officers of the Royal Marines at their not being able to sit on Courts Martial on their own officers and men, and having no status whatever whilst serving under the Naval Discipline Act, he is prepared to hold out the hope that the same rights and privileges as are accorded to them under the Military Discipline Act will be granted to this gallant corps when serving under the Naval Discipline Act; and, if not, if he will give any reason why they should not be accorded?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave yesterday to the same Question.