CAPTAIN VIVIANsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether the distinguished-service Majors (whose case was stated last Session to be under consideration) are to be placed on the same footing as regards promotion to the higher rank as the Lieutenant Colonels; and, if so, when the Warrant granting their promotion will be issued?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONreplied, that he felt that, after what he had said in answer to the hon. Member for Berkshire (Sir Charles Russell) a few nights back, it was very natural that officers, whose interests were involved in this point, should desire to know the course he intended to take, and he was now prepared to answer that part of the Question. The Majors now at the head of the list were, to the number of thirty, part of a batch of distinguished-service Majors, and he intended to concede their claims by at once promoting the whole of them; and in the future—there being three or four of the batches of these distinguished Majors—so soon as the turn came for promotion of the senior officer in each batch, he should promote the whole of them. He hoped this would meet the wishes of all parties concerned or interested.
CAPTAIN VIVIANsaid, he wished to know, When the turn for the promotion of the next batch would arrive?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONThe 1st of last January.