§ SIR J. COLOMBI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Admiral Commander-in-Chief at Devonport has notified his intention to hold a military parade, under his command, on the 24th instant, of naval and marine brigades, the latter consisting of two battalions, one supplied from the ships under the Admiral's command and the other from marines on shore at headquarters under the command of the general officer of the district, and serving under the Army Act; and that marines serving under the Army Act are not liable to be commanded by naval officers while so serving on shore; and will he state under what Act an Admiral is legally entitled to claim the command of marines serving on shore under the Army Act?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYThe parade will be held with the full concurrence of the general officer of the district at Devonport, who himself suggested the course to be pursued, and put it into general orders. The marines serving in barracks and those serving afloat will form three battalions, all under the command of the marine commandant. All arrangements appear to have been made with the cordial cooperation of the naval and military authorities, and no discordant note has been sounded.
§ SIR J. COLOMBIs it not the case that marines at headquarters serve under the Army Act, and are not, therefore, liable to naval command?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYYes; but this parade will be held with the full concurrence of the general officer commanding. I will supply the honourable and gallant Member with a copy of the Act, under which this is done. I believe the marines would have regretted if they had not been associated with the celebration.
§ SIR J. COLOMBBut I want a distinct answer to the Question. Are the marines serving under the Army Act, and not, therefore, liable to naval command?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYI repeat I will send my 371 honourable Friend a copy of the Act under which the arrangements are being made.
§ SIR J. COLOMBI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the increasing tendency for naval officers specially trained for operations on the water to take command on shore of marine officers specially trained for operations on land; and whether he proposes to issue any regulations to secure that officers trained for specific duties shall be permitted to assume the responsibilities of their efficient discharge, especially as regards the control and direction of their own men?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYNo, Sir; I know of no such increasing tendency. I should regret it if there were, but I know of none. The Board does not propose to issue any regulations. The responsibility of making arrangements for the successful accomplishmemt of any operations they may be directed to undertake, must necessarily be left to Commanders-in-Chief or the senior officers in command.