Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in connection with the engagement of the band of the Royal Marines, thirty in number, Chatham division, to give four concerts at South Shields, at a fee of £67 10s., the sum of £13 only being allowed to cover the railway fares, he would state whether the men travelled on a Government Warrant; if so, whether this involved any payment by the Government to the railway company; and, if such was the case, whether he would take steps to prevent a repetition in the giving of facilities to bands of the Royal Marines to compete unfairly with civilian bands?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe men in question did not travel on a Government Warrant, and the engagement in question did not involve any payment by the Government to the railway company.