§ COLONEL C. LINDSAYasked the Secretary of State for War, as to the terms upon which a recruit is enlisting at the present moment, viz., Whether he has made or intends to make a regulation for giving a soldier the option of re-engaging with the standards, from period to period, up to twenty-one years, so as to entitle him to a pension, provided that his health and his conduct are good?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, infantry soldiers are at present enlisted, for six years with the colours and six with the Reserve. It is intended to permit such soldiers as desire it, when the authorities also desire it, to go on for the full period of 12 years; and those who go on for 12 years will have the same privilege of re-engaging to complete their service of pension as those who have originally enlisted for 21 years.