§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)Your Lordships will be aware that the Royal Marines are engaged for a period of twelve years, and they can then be re-engaged for another period of nine years. Under Section 5 of the Royal Marines Act, 1847, either the 709 first or the second term could be extended by two years provided the marine was serving abroad. In November, 1914, a Bill was passed, through Parliament enabling a man who was serving anywhere, either at home or abroad, to have his service extended for that same period of two years. The proposal in the Bill now before your Lordships is to substitute for the period of two years the period of the war. No change is made in the conditions under which Marines are serving, and no new principle is involved. The object of the Bill is simply to meet the emergency which has been created by the war, and I hope your Lordships will give it a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Duke of Devonshire.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.