HC Deb 08 July 1872 vol 212 c795
LORD CLAUD HAMILTON

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to accord the same privileges to the Officers of the Line who were gazetted as "Ensigns" prior to the date of the Commissions of the Officers of the Guards, whose appointments have now been confirmed?

MR. CARDWELL

Sir, the officers of the Line who were gazetted as ensigns prior to the date of the officers of the Guards—namely, the 28th of October—have commissions as lieutenants, and will be antedated to the same date as the officers of the Guards, and have precedence of them by virtue of their former commissions. Their number is 834. Those who were gazetted subsequently will be sub-lieutenants, and take their regular place according to the custom of the Service.