§ MAJOR NOLANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the privilege which has been granted to Lieutenant Colonels of Infantry who were appointed before the 1st July 1881, of optional retirement on a Colonel's pension after having held command for four years, will be extended to those Lieutenant Colonels of the Ordnance Corps who are similarly situated?
§ MR. CHILDERSNo, Sir; the period of the employment of Lieutenant Colonels of the Line will vary from a minimum of four, if in actual command, to a maximum of six years; and this will be about the same period as the fixed five years in the Ordnance Corps. I see, therefore, no reason to shorten the latter period.