HC Deb 28 May 1930 vol 239 cc1277-9
20. Sir B. FALLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the total number of Royal Marine officers, noncommissioned officers, and other ranks actually accommodated at the Royal Marine Barracks at Eastney, Plymouth, and Chatham; and the maximum number these three depots are each able to accommodate?

Mr. ALEXANDER

As the answer contains a table of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

— Accommodation Available. Numbers Accommodated.
Chatham R.M. Barracks:
Officers 52 36
N.C. Officers and Men 875 603
Portsmouth R.M. Barracks:
R.M. Division:
Officers 52 52
N.C. Officers and Men 802 791*
R N. School of Music:
Officers 2 2
N.C. Officers and Men 358 312
Plymouth R.M. Barracks:
Officers 51 47
N.C. Officers and Men 925 732
* 10 beds vacant in boy buglers room and one married quarter under repair.

The hon. Member will observe that the numbers accommodated do not include numbers provided for at out-stations to the barracks or on the lodging list.

21. Sir B. FALLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that only 10,034 Royal Marines are now borne compared with 14,837 in 1921, it is necessary to retain the Royal Marine depot at Deal; if he will state the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and other Royal Marine ranks now accommodated at Deal; the total number the depot is able to accommodate; and the number of Royal Marine recruits authorised to be entered each week during the current quarter?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The numbers now accommodated and the accommodation available at Deal are:

Numbers Accommodated. Accommodation Available.
Officers 26 35
Others 683 1,216
The authorised number of recruits to be entered is 20 per month until the present overbearing, due to a reduction in Vote A, 1930, is worked off, about December, 1930. The normal rate of recruiting would then be 45 per month.