§ MR. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is 1028 prepared to fix an establishment of General Officers in active employment proportioned to the actual requirements of the Public Service; and, whether it is his intention to make any appointments in future to the honorary Colonelcies of Regiments?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, last year, in abolishing purchase, the House was very liberal in its compensation to the regimental officers who will be affected by that measure. Those who have ceased to be regimental officers and have become major-generals, have forfeited their purchase-money in the expectation of being considered for colonelcies when vacancies occurred. It would, therefore, be at least premature to think at the present moment of ceasing to appoint to colonelcies. The establishment of general officers was fixed with great care and consideration after the Reports of two Royal Commissions. It is also very much mixed up with the still uncompleted fusion of the Indian with the British establishment. The time, therefore, has not arrived when it would be desirable to re-consider the question.