GENERAL FRASERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the senior Majors of Line Regiments, who are second in command of their battalions, will be compulsorily retired at the age of 48, whether these officers occupy the same position and perform precisely the same duties as those who were formerly appointed second Lieutenant Colonels, but who are not liable to retirement until the age of 55; and if there is any reason why the senior Majors now serving should not in justice have the same advantage extended to them?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThe senior Major in a battalion performs practically the same duty as the second Lieutenant Colonel who was created in 1881 and abolished prospectively in 1887. As a Major he has to retire at 48 years of age, having been exempted from the obligation which previously held of retiring on the completion of seven years in the asks. The preamble of the Royal Warrant expressly bars any vested interest in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel; and the senior Major is as well off at least—if not in most cases much better—than he would have been if the changes of 1881 had not taken, effect. His retention to 55 would pro- 477 bably involve the compulsory retirement of other Majors.