§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that in the Royal Marines a man who purchases his discharge after some years of service and rejoins later is unable to count his former service towards the completion of his full term of twenty-one years, and that a contrary system prevails in the Army and Navy; and, if so, will he consider the desirability of giving similar treatment to the Royal Marine Corps in this respect.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The point referred to in the hon. Member's Question has recently been under consideration with a view to assimilating the Royal Marine Regulations to those governing the Royal Navy, and in future seamen or Marines who have left the service, will, on re-entry in any capacity, be permitted to count the whole of their previous time, provided that the break in their service has not exceeded five years.