HC Deb 07 July 1879 vol 247 cc1722-3
MAJOR O'GORMAN

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether a military officer who, from service abroad, has returned home on leave at his own expense, and has in obedience to orders served at the depot and from this duty is transferred by the Commander in Chief to a newly formed battalion and proceeds with that battalion to service in South Africa, is required to pay the passage of the officer who is appointed to replace him in his former corps?

COLONEL STANLEY

Officers who come home from foreign stations on leave of absence on private affairs are liable to pay their own passages back to their corps, unless while at home they are appointed to the depôt of their corps and serve there for two years. If they quit the Service, exchange to another corps, or are transferred to another corps at their own request, they pay the passage of the officer who succeeds them, unless they have served two years at the depôt. This statement applied to the present time; but the case referred to by the hon. and gallant Member occurred in 1841, and he had not had time to inquire into the practice at that time.