§ MAJOR WALKERsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has considered, and is prepared to remedy, the heavy increase of mess and band subscriptions which will be entailed on Regimental Officers by the proposed reduction of their numbers, and by the discontinuance of promotions from the rank of Ensign or Cornet to that of Lieutenant?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, I am not prepared to propose any increase in the pay of officers on account of the consideration which has been suggested in the Question, because it appears to me that the amount of the mess and other voluntary subscriptions must be in proportion to the number of officers rather than in the inverse ratio.