§ MAJOR O'BEIRNEasked the Secretary of State for War, To explain why 1856 Colonels of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers are excluded from the command of a brigade depôt whilst Officers who have served exclusively in the Cavalry are at present eligible to such commands; and, whether any and what addition will be made to the present numerical strength of Non-commissioned Officers and Men at brigade depôts, or whether a reduction will be made of the number of combatant Officers?
COLONEL LOYD LINDSAYIn answer to the hon. and gallant Member, I beg to state that the Warrant was never intended to apply to officers of the Royal Artillery, and there will be no objection to their being appointed to these commands provided they have fulfilled the requirements—five years' service in the brevet rank they now occupy. With those qualifications they may be appointed to those commands. With regard to the second point in the hon. and gallant Member's Question, he asks whether any and what addition will be made to the present numerical strength of Non-commissioned Officers and Men at brigade depôts, or whether a reduction will be made in combatant officers. Well, with regard to the number of combatant officers, I may remark to the hon. and gallant Member that if the duties were simple in connection with military functions it would be very well; but they have other duties connected with recruiting, pensioners, and general superintendence which are really heavy, and I can say that there are not too many of them at the depôts.