§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether Officers of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, who have not succeeded in the competition for the Royal Marine Artillery, have been drafted into the latter corps over the heads of candidates who have succeeded in the competition; and, whether steps will be taken to remedy the hardship thus inflicted on those who have obtained their appointment to the Royal Marine Artillery by passing successfully the competitive standard established for that corps?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYOf the nine probationary lieutenants of the Royal Marine Artillery who presented themselves for the final examination this year only one passed—Mr. L. E. Gordon, of seniority 1st of September, 1881. It being necessary to provide officers for the Marine Artillery, the Admiralty appointed a Committee to consider whether any of the candidates who had passed through the College during the last three years, but failed to reach the standard for the Artillery, might 1756 be admitted with advantage to the Service. Five officers have been appointed on the recommendation of the Committee. The seniority of two of them is the 1st of September, 1880; and, therefore, they could not have been placed below Mr. Gordon, who sustains some slight disadvantage owing to a measure considered necessary for the public interest.