§ MR. ST. AUBYNasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether Naval and Marine officers placed upon half-pay since March 1870 are liable to be called upon to serve?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, I presume that the Question of the hon. Member refers to officers on retired pay, as all naval officers on half-pay are, of course, liable to servo; and officers of the Royal Marines placed temporarily on half-pay from ill-health, or on reduction of establishment, may also, at any time, be recalled to full pay if fit. With regard to naval officers who have been placed on the Retired List since 1870, it is laid down in Article 254 of the Queen's Regulations that they may be called into active service in case of war or emergency. There is no such definite provision regarding retired Marine officers; but it has never been doubted that, in such circumstances, all who are capable of serving Her Majesty would be ready to do so.