§ MR. BRAMSDON (Portsmouth)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain how it is that the total of the Royal Marines is shown under Vote 1 to be only 25 less than in 1907–8 having regard to the fact that the Royal Marine Artillery were reduced by 25 noncommissioned officers and 251 men, and that the three divisions of the Royal Marine Light Infantry have also been reduced by 25 non-commissioned officers each; will he also explain if there has been any increase in the band ratings and to what extent; and whether these band ratings will hereafter, and to what extent, be drafted to His Majesty's ships, and so form no part of the effective force of the Royal Marines.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The explanation of the difference referred to in the first portion of the Question is, first, that while there is a reduction of 25 only in the numbers of the Royal Marines provided for in Vote 1, there is a larger reduction, viz., 107, in the numbers provided for in other Votes, as will be seen by a comparison of pages 14–15 of the Navy Estimates for the years 1907–8 and 1908–9; and, secondly, that whereas the figures given by my hon. friend appear to have reference to (but somewhat overstate) the reduction to be effected in the corps by the end of the financial year, the numbers included 31 in the Estimates are the numbers expected to be borne on the average throughout the year. It is intended to increase the number of band ratings during the current financial year, from 1,158, which was the number borne on 1st April, 1908, to 1,200. Band ratings are drafted to His Majesty's ships allowed bands, and are in addition to the Marines allowed as such in the ship's complement. Although they are included in the strength of the Marines as a whole, they are outside the Marines required for purely fighting purposes.
§ MR. BRAMSDONTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain why the Royal Marine Artillery is being reduced by 25 non-commissioned officers and 251 men; is it part of any further contemplated scheme of reduction, and, if so, what is that scheme; and will he state whether, in view of the reduction mentioned, the Royal Marine Artillery are to be employed afloat to the same extent as at present, and, if not, will he specify the class of ships on which they will in future be embarked?
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The Royal Marine Artillery is being reduced by 25 non-commissioned officers and 226 gunners during the current financial year, for the reason that the present numbers borne are greater than the requirements of the Fleet necessitate. There is no further reduction contemplated. The rules governing the allocation of Royal Marine Artillery to different classes of ships are being altered to meet the requirements of modern ships. Royal Marine Artillery were formerly allowed to all battleships and first-class cruiser flagships in the proportion of half of the marine detachment. In future they will be allowed in the same proportion to all battleships and first-class cruisers carrying more than four power-worked guns above a certain calibre, and all flagships not under first-class cruisers. The relative number of Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry, as far as can be foreseen, will not be materially affected by this change, although the total requirements of Marines afloat will probably decrease in consequence of the requirements of modern ships.