MR. A. BASSasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is prepared to extend to Volunteer Officers, on the recommendation of their Commanding Officers, the privilege now enjoyed by Militia Majors and Captains of retiring with a step of honorary rank and permission to wear the uniform of such rank after twenty-five or twenty years' service respectively?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, the question has been several times discussed how far the privilege now enjoyed by the Militia regiments of retiring on honorary ranks should be extended to the Volunteers. It was fully gone into several years ago, and at that time considerable concessions were made in favour of Volunteers, among others that they should retain their uniform, if com- 302 missioned officers, after 15 years' service—a concession not given to officers of the Regular Army. It is not, therefore, at present intended to give any further step of rank, or to give an honorary rank on retirement.