§ 22. Viscount CURZONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can indicate what economy would be realised by the amalgamation of the Royal Marines; on what, general terms it is proposed that it should be carried out; and what is the strength of both forces to-day?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)I apologise for giving a somewhat full answer to this question.
The amalgamation, by enabling a reduction of one division to be made., will effect an economy of about 150,000 a year. The general terms of amalgamation will be as follow: The two branches of the corps will be amalgamated under the historic title of "The Royal Marines."
The Light Infantry headquarters at Gosport. will be abolished, and the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry at Portsmouth will he united into one division at Eastney, the surplus officers and men in equal proportions from Royal Marine Artillery, Eastney, and Royal Marine Light infantry, Gosport, being transferred voluntarily as far as possible to Chatham' arid Plymouth divisions, to equalise the numbers at each of the three home ports. Each headquarters will then draft men for the ships belonging to that. port.
The officers will be combined on to one seniority list (those entered since 11)12 were originally on such a list).
The Recruit Depot at Eastney will be closed, and all recruits trained at. the Depot, Royal Marines, Deal.
The corps will be trained for their duties afloat and as infantry soldiers, but a school of land service artillery will be maintained at Eastney to train a percentage of officers and men as specialists to meet any requirements likely to arise.
Browndown ranges and camp will also be retained.
The present strength of the Corps is:
Royal Marine Artillery ☠ 2,146 Royal Marine Light. Infantry ☠ 6,907 Royal Marine School of Music ☠ 788
§ 23. Viscount CURZONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, before the amalgamation of the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marine Light Infantry is definitely decided upon, the naval staff will be consulted; whether he is aware that the proposal was rejected by the Board of Admiralty in 1919; and whether he can give an assurance that, before any action is taken and before either corps loses its identity, an opportunity will be given to the House of Commons to fully discuss the matter and make its wishes known?
§ Mr. AMERYThe amalgamation has been decided upon by the Board of Admiralty as a whole, on which the naval staff is represented. It is incorrect to state that the proposal was rejected in 1919. The question of amalgamation was taken up at that time mainly because of an alleged strong sentiment amongst the officers and men in favour of reversion to the original system of a single corps, but on further inquiry the Board decided that there was no such preponderance of sentiment, and postponed the consideration of the proposal indefinitely. The great reduction in, numbers which has necessitated the present decision was not. then in contemplation. As regards the last part of the question, the whole subject has received very careful consideration, and it is undesirable that there should be any delay in carrying out the change which has been decided upon.
§ Viscount CURZONMay I ask how it was that, when introducing the Navy Estimates the other day, the right hon. Gentleman had not one word to say about this proposed change, and, in view of that fact, will he assure us that the House of Commons will have an opportunity of discussing this very important change before it actually comes into effect?
§ Mr. AMERYThe matter had not been finally and absolutely decided at that moment. The House will, of course, have the usual opportunity in the course of the Session of discussing that matter, and, if necessary, of criticising the conduct of the Board of Admiralty with regard to it.
§ Viscount CURZONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that since, according to his own statement, the change will 1188 then have been made, the House of Commons will then have no power to go back on the decision? Can we be given an opportunity to discuss the matter before the change is made? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"]
§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state how it is proposed to retain the distinctive character of the Royal Marine Artillery in the proposed amalgamation of the two branches of the force; whether the uniform will be retained; and whether a similar course of training in land and sea gunnery will be given to the Marines taking the places of the Royal Marine Artillery as in the past?
§ Mr. AMERYThe uniform will in future be. the same for 'the whole corps, and in this respect regard will be paid to the traditions of both branches. In order to avoid expense, officers will, of course, be allowed to retain their present uniform for a. reasonable time. The training for all new entries will be that of infantrymen, but a proportion will subsequently be trained as specialists in Land Service Artillery.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHow does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that with his assurance to the House before Easter that the traditions would be maintained? If the blue uniform of the Royal Marine Artillery is to be abolished, how are its distinctive characteristics to be maintained?
§ Mr. AMERYWhat I said was that in the new single-corps uniform regard will be paid to the traditions of both branches.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the uniform be red or blue in the future? [HON. MEMBERS: "Yellow! "]
§ Viscount CURZONCan the right hon. Gentleman state whether the decision has been actually come to? His last answer on the subject was that it was under consideration.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I have an answer?
§ Mr. AMERYI cannot go into all the details of the uniform, as it has not yet been settled, hut both blue and red will play a part.
§ 24. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the proposed amalgamation of the Royal Marines will make any difference to the pensions of the men at present serving?
§ Mr. AMERYIt is not anticipated that amalgamation of the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marine Light Infantry will, in itself, entail any changes in the pensions of the men affected.