asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what changes it is intended to make in the present organisation of the R.Ms.

Mr. Dugdale:

During the present year, a change will be made in the organisation of the Royal Marines in the United Kingdom. At present, there are three Royal Marine groups; one at Chatham, one at Portsmouth, and one at Plymouth, each of which discharges similar functions. In future, each of these three groups will discharge a specific and separate function. A central pay and records system will be located in the Chatham group. Preliminary recruit training will be at Deal; all training for sea service and similar purposes will be located in the Portsmouth group and all land service training will be at Plymouth. This change will give greater efficiency in training and will effect a saving in manpower amounting to approximately 1,000 officers and men.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the great satisfaction that his answer will give to all those, serving in the Royal Marines, both because of the added efficiency it will bring and because of the necessary savings it will effect in manpower at the present time?