MR. M'CULLAGH TORRENSsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, If any regulation has been promulgated prohibiting exchanges, or the sale of Commissions by Officers of the Military Train; with the reason and date of such Regulation; whether Officers recently appointed or permitted to exchange into the Regiment have been previously made aware of such Regulation; and, whether promotion has been suspended in the Regiment, and for what time?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, in reply, that no regulation had been promulgated prohibiting exchanges or the sale of commissions by officers of the Military Train; but since 1863 it had been the custom to inform all officers receiving their first commission that the Military Train would probably cease to be a purchase corps, and, therefore, that they would no longer be at liberty to sell their commissions. It was entirely untrue that promotion had been suspended in the corps.