§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the Secretary of State of War, If there is any Clause or Regulation in the Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion, or in the Corrigenda Warrant, under which the Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels of the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, who obtained that rank prior to the 1st October 1877, can be compelled, against their wishes, to 986 retire, or remain unemployed if they do not retire?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to my hon. Friend, I have to state that under the Warrant of the 25th of June, 1881, now in force, of which the Corrigenda Warrant forms a part, there is no regulation compelling the officers to whom he refers to retire before the ages named in the Warrant, which are 60, 59, or 58, according to circumstances. These ages are earlier than those named in the former Warrant of 1878, and Her Majesty has undoubted power further to reduce them if thought necessary. As to employment, the Secretary of State has absolute power to approve the employment of such officers recommended by the Commander-in-Chief as he may think fit.