HC Deb 13 June 1873 vol 216 c908
COLONEL CORBETT

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will reconsider the Regulation issued with the General Orders for Militia, No. 52, of 1872, which requires that all officers of Militia who are nominated for commissions in the Line shall have attained the necessary age on May 1st of the year in. which they are recommended, as fixing that particular day is calculated to act unfairly towards those who happen to have been born in one of the months nearly following that date; and, whether it would not be sufficient for the required age to be attained at the time when the officer is recommended?

MR. CARDWELL

Sir, the question was very fully considered, and it was determined that, as the time at which the Militia regiments are called out varies very much, it would not be fair to fix the time at which the officer might be recommended, and that the only fair way was to fix a day in the course of the training season; the 1st of May was accordingly appointed, and cannot now be altered.