§ LIEUT.-COLONEL MILNE HOMEasked the Secretary of State for War, If his attention has been directed to the number of Purchase Captains who have been, owing to the promotions of 1st July, superseded by many other Captains junior in service; and, if, in order to nullify the consequent hardship, he will grant those Purchase Officers from the 1st July last the rank of Supernumerary Major without additional pay till they become absorbed in their regular turn?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, in reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to point out to him that, under the regimental system, officers are constantly superseded in Army rank by officers of other regiments junior to them; and so far as purchase captains are concerned, this was not in the smallest degree affected by the late Warrant. Speaking generally, three captains in every battalion became majors—that is to say, three steps were given at once, instead of being spread over a considerable period. The Warrant, therefore, gave great advantages to purchase captains, and I am not prepared to do more for them. The particular proposal of the hon. and gallant Gentleman would merely give a boon to one set of officers to the prejudice of their juniors?
§ LIEUT.-COLONEL MILNE HOMEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are only 45 of these captains?
§ MR. CHILDERSThere may be only 45 of these captains, but the precedent would apply to hundreds.