§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the anxiety caused among the officers of the Royal Marines by their Lordships' action 499 concerning Colonel Onslow, Royal Marine Light Infantry, he will say whether it is to be understood that this officer no longer remains on the active list?
§ Mr. McKENNAColonel Onslow has been removed from the active list of Colonels Commandant with a view to being placed on the new reserve list. Officers on this new reserve list will not be eligible for promotion in any vacancy that may occur on the General Officers' list.
§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the event of Colonel Onslow, Royal Marine Light Infantry, obtaining an appointment consequent upon the proposal to re-establish a reserve list for colonels, it will in any way affect the promotion of officers in the corps junior to him?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is intended that if a colonel serving on this reserve list were selected for the appointment of Deputy-Adjutant-General that he should receive the temporary rank of Major-General. His appointment could not, consequently, affect the promotion of any of his juniors, except that there would not be the same flow of promotion as would take place if a colonel on the active list were selected. In the latter case, on appointment, he would become a supernumerary.
§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the question of Colonel Onslow has created a great amount of discontent among junior officers?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. I will inquire into the observation of my hon. Friend. I was not aware of the existence of discontent.
§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty under what clause of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions does Colonel Onslow, Royal Marine Light Infantry, now draw his pay?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe pay of Royal Marines serving on shore is not governed by any clause in the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. As a matter of fact, Colonel Onslow has only received an advance of pay pending the Order in Council being made. In any case, whether on the retired list or the reserve list, he would be entitled to exactly the same rate.
§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONWill the right hon. Gentleman say if he is paid out of the active list or out of the retired list?
§ Mr. McKENNAHe has received an advance of pay out of the active list, pending the Order in Council being made. If the Order in Council is not made, the pay will be refunded to the active list out of the retired list. The amount of the payment in each case would be the same. It would only be a book-keeping arrangement.