§ MR. MARK STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a fact that a Sergeant of Militia Artillery is entitled to extra pay, at the rate of 6d. per diem, when employed in drilling a Brigade Depot or Infantry, or at heavy gun practice, whilst the Sergeant of Artillery Volunteers is not so entitled when similarly employed; and, if so, whether he is prepared to alter the Regulations so as to grant, under like circumstances, the same rate of extra pay to both Militia and Volunteer Artillery Sergeants?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, a pensioner sergeant of Militia—Artillery or Infantry—employed in drilling troops of the Regular Army, is considered to be performing a special military duty; and, 1176 under an Auxiliary Reserve Force Circular of 1877, receives, while so employed, an allowance of 3d. a-day. This allowance is in reality in lieu of rations in kind, which, to prevent confusion, are not given to the Militia sergeants at periods other than training. The pensioner Volunteer sergeant, if performing similar duties, does not, it is true, receive the allowance of 3d. a-day; but he can receive a ration in kind, worth about 1d. a-day, for 4d., which places him in about the same position as the Militia sergeant.