§ SIR JOHN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.)(for Mr. DIXON-HARTLAND) (Middlesex, Uxbridge) asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the senior captain of the Royal Fusiliers is for the third year in succession called upon to do the duty of major at the training of the battalion now just commencing, providing horse and equipment for the work; whether his non-appointment to substantive rank was merely for the purpose of saving the difference in pay and allowances; and, whether, in view of the discouragement to take commissions in or to remain in the Militia which will probably be caused by such suspension of promotion after 25 years' service, he will reconsider his decision in this case?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I presume that my hon. Friend alludes to the case of Honorary Major Roe, of the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, concerning whom he asked a Question last month. The appointment of major in this battalion is at present vacant, because the commanding officer is endeavouring to find a suitable officer to recommend for it. Honorary Major Roe has not been selected; because, in the opinion of the officer commanding his battalion, the officer commanding the Regimental District, and the Gene- 1021 ral Officer commanding the District, it would not be for the good of the Service that he should be promoted. If, on former occasions, Honorary Major Roe temporarily performed the duty of regimental major under the authority of the General Officer commanding the District he would have been entitled to receive the forage allowance for a horse, if he provided one for public duties; but he does not appear to have made any claim for such allowance. There is no foundation for the statement that the non-appointment of this officer to the rank of major was for the purpose of saving the difference of pay.