§ SIR HENRY WILMOTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is intended to grant to Officers of the Royal Artillery, who retired under the Royal Warrant of 1871, the step of 1893 honorary rank which is given to Officers of the Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery, who retire under the Royal Warrant of 1870?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY, in reply, said, he had to state that special steps of honorary rank were allowed in certain cases in the Royal Artillery under the Warrant of 1871, but that was only in consequence of the great block which existed to promotion in that force. Steps of honorary rank were only allowed to officers retiring on full pay after 30 years' service; but it was not intended to grant such a step to those who retired under the Warrant of 1870, who would have the step on the ordinary retirement from the corps.