HC Deb 11 July 1872 vol 212 cc949-50
MR. J. LOWTHER

asked the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, Whether he is correctly reported to have said, in reply to a Question in this House on the 24th ult.— Adjutants of Yeomanry Cavalry not having yet to perform any financial duties their pay has not yet been raised to that of an Adjutant of Volunteers; whether it is the case that Adjutants of Yeomanry regiments have to perform duties of a financial character, such as the payment of Non-Commissioned Officers on the Staff, as well as saddlery bills and other accounts incidental to a cavalry regiment; and, whether he is aware that considerable difficulty has arisen (in consequence of the inferior rate of pay) in obtaining efficient officers to fill the position of Adjutant in Yeomanry regiments, and that the Cumberland and Westmoreland Regiment of Yeomanry has been without an Adjutant since the middle of April, one officer appointed on the recommendation of His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief from full-pay, and another from half-pay, having resigned as soon as the new rate of pay was explained to them?

SIR HENRY STORKS

The statement to which the hon. Gentleman refers is correctly reported. So far as the War Department is concerned, adjutants of Yeomanry are not as yet held responsible for the performance of any financial duties. All moneys are issued to the commanding officers, who are held solely responsible for all the accounts incidental to a Yeomanry cavalry regiment. I am aware that two officers, one on full-pay and the other on half-pay, have declined to take up the appointment of adjutant to the Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry; but, with this exception, I have not heard that any difficulty has arisen in obtaining efficient officers to fill these appointments.

MR. J. LOWTHER

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman contemplate any alteration of the existing arrangements?

SIR HENRY STORKS

The regulations are under consideration.