§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked what is the proportion of service ashore and afloat of the Royal Marine forces; what time is considered necessary for proper training of Marines in their military duties, and what the average service ashore and afloat of the Marines will be under present conditions; whether it is intended to send all the Marines afloat in case of war, including the newly joined recruits; if not, how many is it intended to retain at headquarters; and how many it is intended to keep as a margin of reserve for filling up casualties after war begins?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe periods a Marine remains at headquarters are not the same throughout the course of his service, being affected by his rank at the time, age, time served, and other considerations. No definite proportion of service ashore and afloat can therefore be given for the Royal Marine forces as a whole. The last return of the distribution of the corps (26th February, 1910) shows 9,963 in ships and naval establishments, and 6,303 at the Marine headquarters, including everyone employed in administrative as well as ordinary duties. The time devoted to the requalification of Marines in purely military duties between embarkations is comparatively short, but it is considered desirable that they should remain in barracks not less than six months should Service requirements admit. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. It is not in the interests of the Service to publish the particulars asked for in the last part of the question.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDDoes this 6,000 include bandsmen on shore?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt would include everybody at Marine headquarters.