LIEUT.-COLONEL MILNE-HOMEasked the Secretary of State for War, If he is aware that by the intended new regulations, Colour Sergeants will become entitled to the same pension as Quartermaster Sergeants who belong to Class II.; and, if he proposes, therefore, to give a proportionate rise in pension to non-commissioned officers of that class?
§ MR. CHILDERSThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is mistaken in assuming that Quartermaster Sergeants will be in Class II. They will be in the new Class I., and Colour Sergeants will be in the new Class II. The maximum pensions in these classes will be 2s. 9d. and 2s. 6d. per day respectively.
COLONEL ALEXANDEEI wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman a Question of which I have given him private Notice, Whether it is still intended to give Quartermasters the honorary degrees of Captain and Major; and, if so, after what period of service?
§ MR. CHILDERSIt is intended to give to Quartermasters the honorary and relative rank of Captain after 10 years' commissioned service. After 20 years' service (towards which two years' rank service counts as one), any officer retiring receives a step of honorary rank, so that almost all Quartermasters would retire as honorary Majors.