§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH - COOKEasked whether his attention has been called to the fact that the lieutenants of the Royal Marines are at present suffering, especially when serving afloat, owing to their relative rank with junior officers of the Royal Navy; whether he is aware that, since the introduction of the new scheme of entry into the Navy, officers of the Royal Marines are employed in many purely naval duties, particularly that of officers of the watch in harbour, thus bringing them more directly under the control of naval officers of junior rank; and that cases have occurred of lieutenants of the Royal Marines being under the orders of senior watchkeepers, lieutenants of the Royal Navy, who had served as midshipmen with them several years pre- 18 viously; and whether he can see his way to remove these and similar disabilities by readjusting the relative rank of naval and marine officers up to the rank of commander of the Royal Navy and lieutenant-colonel of the Royal Marines, respectively?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe relative rank of marine officers with those of the Navy is the same as that of officers in the Army. It is not proposed to make any change so far as existing officers are concerned. The question of the status of marine officers under the new system of training will be dealt with in due course.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWhen may we expect the answer?
§ Mr. McKENNAI will inquire.