§ COLONEL FRENCHsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, If the Circular relating to Officers in Command of Depots, issued last year, is to extend to those Officers in Command before that Circular was issued from the Horse Guards?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONSir, I find, on inquiry, that no circular of the nature referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, was issued last year; and I presume that the circular to which the Question 1181 refers was one issued in December, 1866. I hold a copy of the circular in my hand, and it does not appear to be open to the Question he put. It consists of three clauses, and the first begins thus —"The present Lieutenant Colonels of Depot Battalions shall remain in undisturbed possession of their employment until removed by casualties." The last clause is this—"Officers appointed at any period hereafter shall hold the appointment for five years." No words can be more clear than these to show that the regulation is to have no retrospective action.