§ COLONEL O'BEIRNEasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the advantages conferred upon the members of the Army Veterinary Department by the recent Veterinary Warrant will also be extended to the 24 First Class Veterinary Surgeons promoted to that grade under the Warrant of 1878, and who, otherwise, would be placed in a disadvantageous position during their entire service, in consequence of all future advancement being contingent upon the date of promotion to First Class?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the hon. and gallant Member for Leitrim (Colonel O'Beirne) would appear to be under some misapprehension. Promotion to the rank of Inspecting Veterinary Surgeon does not depend on the date of promotion to the 1st class of veterinary surgeons. Such promotion is by selection for merit, and the test of service is 15 years' commissioned service, without reference to time as a 1st class veterinary surgeon.