§ COLONEL NAGHTENasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether Officers commanding Militia Regiments are entitled to recommend the name of an Officer for a commission in the Line for every hundred Reserve men furnished to the Army from their Regiments, in compliance with War Office Letter, 16th April 1870?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, when the Circular Letter to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was issued, the Purchase system was still in operation. A large number of Army Commissions are now annually given to Militia officers, and the Circular in question must be taken as being practically superseded. Since 1873, I may add, that upwards of 800 Commissions have been given, which exceeds the proportion to which Militia regiments would be entitled under the Circular.