§ SIR DE LACY EVANSsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War, On what principle it is that gentlemen who have purchased appointments in the Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms are to be compensated for the price of their appointments out of what is termed the Reserved Fund, a fund created altogether by contributions from the Officers of the regular Army; and what are the intentions of the Government as to the continuance or rectifications in respect to that fund?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, that the present arrangement was made by his predecessor in office, the reason for it being, he believed, that it was thought desirable that the corps in question should cease to be a purchase corps. The intention was that commissions should be given to meritorious Officers as a reward for their services. In answer to the second question, he might state that each case would in future be dealt with on its merits.