GENERAL PRELsaid, he would beg to ask the Under Secretary of War what steps are to be taken to remedy the evils which he admitted, on the part of the Military authorities, had arisen from the operation of the Warrant of 1854?
§ SIR JOHN RAMSDENsaid, that on the last occasion, the hon. and gallant Gentleman put this question, he (Sir J. Ramsden) stated that the subject had, for some time, engaged the attention of his noble Friend at the head of the War Department, and the authorities at the Horse Guards. They were fully aware that the Warrant of 1854 had not answered the expectations of those who framed it; but, in attempting to make any alterations in it, the points to be considered were so various, and the difficulties so extremely great, that his noble Friend had not been able to decide on any plan that would conduce to the efficiency of the service—which was the main object to be kept in view—and, at the same time, be more favourable to the interests of the officers than the Warrant of 1854. The subject was one which had caused great anxiety to his noble Friend and the Commander in Chief; but, although various projects had been considered, no satisfactory conclusion had as yet been arrived at. Of course, when it was, it should be communicated to the House.