HC Deb 04 March 1880 vol 251 c301
MR. A. BASS

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, taking into consideration that there are seventeen Regiments and Battalions whose Lieutenant Colonels have held command for periods varying from nine to fourteen years, he intends to take any steps towards their compulsory retirement, and thus place the senior Majors and Captains of these Regiments under the same advantages with regard to promotion as other Regiments of Her Majesty's Service?

COLONEL STANLEY

A letter has been sent to each of the colonels referred to, stating that it is proposed to submit to the Queen a draft warrant to abolish the exemption from the five-years' rule which at present exists in their case, and offering them the alternative of employment with brigade depots or on the Staff if duly qualified. Several have accepted the proposal; but we have not yet received answers from all the officers to whom we have written.