HC Deb 04 March 1912 vol 35 cc32-3
Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an officer in the Royal Marines is required to pay £50 down if he desires to purchase a charger, and that attached to paying this sum is the proviso that the charger must not be sold within four years from the date of purchase; and whether, seeing that the service of majors in the Royal Marines averages about one year at headquarters before embarking for two years' service at sea, he can see his way to rescind the proviso in question?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Royal Marine officers have recently been afforded the privilege of obtaining chargers from the Army Remount Department on payment of the sum of £50. Horses so purchased may not be sold by private contract, or otherwise disposed of, within four years without previous sanction. Should an officer have to dispose of his horse earlier, it is taken back by the Remount Department in accordance with the authorised scale, which depends upon the age and condition of the horse. Royal Marine officers may, however, obtain their chargers from any source they wish.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First. Lord of the Admiralty whether the recent concession allowing officers of the Royal Marines to hire chargers at Government expense is causing dissatisfaction; that at large parades considerable difficulty is experienced in obtaining the necessary number of chargers; and whether he will consider the advisability of providing officers of the Royal Marines, when on shore, with chargers free of cost to themselves, as is done in the case of other mounted officers in the Army?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I am not aware that the conditions governing the supply of chargers from the Army Remount Department to officers of the Royal Marines are causing dissatisfaction, nor am I aware that any difficulty is experienced in obtaining chargers when required. Having regard to the general conditions of service of Royal Marine officers, I am unable to apply the Army rule for the supply of chargers free to these officers.

Sir W. BYLES

May I ask what sailors want these horses, and whether they are sea horses or not?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I would remind my hon. Friend the Royal Marines are sailors and soldiers too.