§ LORD ELCHOasked the Secretary of State for War, What is the number of Candidates for Commissions on the list of His Royal Highness the Field Marshall Commanding in Chief, who had expressed their readiness to be called up for examination, but who had not been so called up at the date of the issue of the Royal Warrant; and, whether any provision has been or will be made for those thus situated?
§ MR. CARDWELL, in reply, said the course taken was this—in 1870, when a large reduction was made in the number of officers, the candidates who were on His Royal Highness's list had notice that those who were ready for examination should come up for examination. An examination was held of those who complied with that notice. They were placed in the order of merit, and would receive commissions in their turn, if their turn should come while they were of the proper age. There was a large number who did not 'respond to the call. They would come in under the new rules. A certain number, 75, intimated before the publication of the late Royal Warrant that they were ready to be examined, but no special exception was intended to be made in their favour.