§ SIR PATRICK O'BRIENsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether, from the "Letter of Service" appointing His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief, such appointment appears to have been made for life or for a lesser period; whether the Secretary of State for War may recommend to Her Majesty persons for Commissions, either directly or by purchase; whether it is consistent with military discipline and the regulations of the Service to appeal from a decision of the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief, or of the Military Secretary, to the Secretary of State for War; whether all high military appointments are first submitted to the Secretary of State for War for his approval; and, further to ask, 355 whether, regarding both, efficiency and economy, it is the intention of the Government to inquire into the expediency of concentrating the duties of the War Office and Horse Guards in one Office, under the exclusive control of a Minister responsible to Parliament?
§ MR. CARDWELLThe "Letter of Service" appointing His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal-Commanding-in-Chief conveys the appointment, not for any specified time, but during Her Majesty's pleasure. The Secretary of State does not recommend to Her Majesty persons for commissions, either directly or by purchase. Commissions in the Artillery and Engineers are given entirely by open competition; the commissions without purchase in the Line are given either by open competition at Sandhurst or by selection to deserving non-commissioned officers; and commissions by purchase are given by qualifying examination. Perhaps I may be permitted to add that in my opinion it would be very unfortunate if patronage connected with the Army were transferred from the General-Commanding-in-Chief to a political Officer. It is not consistent with military discipline and the regulations of the Office to appeal from a decision of the Field-Marshal-Commanding - in - Chief to the Secretary of State for War, and that is perfectly consistent with the fact that reference is constantly made to the Secretary of State in cases of special importance and difficulty; and further, that, if at any time the discipline of the Army were to fall into an unsatisfactory state, the Secretary of State for War would not be exonerated from responsibility if he omitted to take measures to prevent the continuance of that state of things. There are not, so far as I know, any decisions of the Military Secretary; his duty is to convey the decisions of His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. All high military appointments are first submitted to the Secretary of State for War for his approval. There is no need for an inquiry whether it is expedient to concentrate the duties of the War Office and Horse Guards in one office, because Her Majesty's Government, and I believe the House, are perfectly satisfied, without inquiry, that it would be very expedient to concentrate them in one office, and that expediency is wholly irrespective of any changes in the functions properly belonging to the two Offices.