§ MR. W. PRICErose to call attention to the case of the Militia Quartermasters. The hon. Member stated that the full pay of those officers, after serving 40, and in some instances 60, years, 20 of which had been spent in the Line, was 1236 only £73 a-year, and that was utterly inadequate, as they had to support the rank of captains in the Army. He presumed that the subject had been carefully considered by the right hon. Gentleman, and, therefore, it was not his intention to move any Resolution, but he hoped some statement would be made on the subject.
§ MR. STANLEYexplained the case of the Militia Quartermasters. It had been determined some time ago, and he believed it was agreed to by successive Secretaries of State, that it was not expedient to continue the appointment of Quartermasters, as such, to Militia regiments. Under Lord Cardwell's scheme it was decided that there should be a Quartermaster to each brigade depôt, and that he should perform the duties of Quartermaster of Militia. It was true that the pensions were not on so liberal a scale as he personally wished; but when taken in comparison with the other branches of the Service they were in fair proportion, and there was no reason to suppose that the Quartermasters were in a worse position than other officers. He could not admit the analogy to the special retirements given to the late Militia Adjutants. The duties of the Militia Quartermasters were being more and more transferred to the Quartermasters of the brigade depôts. The right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War had carefully considered the question, but he had not felt himself justified in coming to the House for an increase of the allowance to Quartermasters.
§ Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put and agreed to.