§ SIR HENRY STRACEYsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for "War if it be the intention of the Government to equalize the prices of the Commissions of Officers of Cavalry and Infantry of the Line; whether Cavalry Officers, having paid a larger sum as the price of their Commissions, and receiving only the same pay as Infantry Officers, will, on selling, 1571 receive the difference from the War Office; and whether, on not wishing to sell, they will receive pay in proportion to that extra outlay?
§ MR. NOELsaid, before the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War gave his reply, he wished to know whether any decision has been come to on the question of stoppages and of forage for Cavalry Officers' horses, which he has been repeatedly told was under the consideration of the Government?
§ MR. SIDNEY HERBERT, in reply, said, with regard to the question which had been last addressed to him, he could state that the subject had been under the consideration of the Government for a considerable time—it was a matter which had been discussed between the Officers and the Government with—he would state frankly—very little prospect of a satisfactory result. It was the intention of the Government, however, to lower the price of Cavalry Commissions to the same rate as those in Infantry Regiments; but it did not follow, as the hon. Gentleman seemed to imagine, that any reduction would take place in the pay. If a Cavalry Officer sold his commission, he would receive from the War Office the difference between the former and the reduced price; and if he remained in the service, he would continue in receipt of pay higher than in the Infantry Regiments.