§ CAPTAIN COLOMB (, &c.) Tower Hamlets, Bowasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can give an assurance to the House that the promised inquiry into naval and military organization will include an examination into the cost of organization and employment of the Royal Marine Forces; whether at present the country reaps the full advantage from the expenditure on the scientific training and technical instruction of the officers and men of the Royal Marine Artillery; and, whether the transfer from the War Office to the Admiralty of the coaling stations abroad, and the substitution of Marine for Army garrisons, will tend to reduce expenditure and increase efficiency?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The Government certainly intend that the subject to which the hon. and gallant Member refers shall be inquired into by competent persons, under their direction and with their full responsibility.