§ COLONEL BARTTELOT, remarking that the greatest anxiety prevailed among the parents of young men being prepared for examination, asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the intention of the Government to reduce the number of Cornets in Cavalry and Ensigns in Infantry Regiments, and to place them on half-pay; and, if so, whether the two usual Examinations of those wishing to obtain Commissions in the Army will take place this year?
§ MR. CARDWELL, in reply, said, that the introduction of the squadron formation in lieu of the troop formation of the cavalry involved a reduction of four cornets in each of the cavalry regiments; there would also be a reduction of two companies in every infantry battalion returning from the colonies, and the result would be to diminish the number of officers in the two branches of the service. It was not intended, however, to place them upon half-pay, but to absorb them as vacancies occurred. The number of vacancies for candidates for new commissions would, of course, be diminished. It would, however, be necessary to have the first examination in May; but he was not able to say until the supernumeraries had been absorbed when the next examination would be held.