§ MR. GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, while all other Departments of the Army have had their position improved with regard to pay and retirement, the chaplains' warrant has continued unimproved since 1861, and compares unfavourably with the warrants of the other Departments (i.e. the Army Medical Department, the Commissariat, Transport, and Ordnance Staff Corps, and the Veterinary Department); whether a very large proportion of the chaplains now serving entered the Department before the compulsory retirement clause was introduced; whether they are now compelled to retire from the Service at the age of sixty years at the same rate of half-pay granted prior to the introduction of that clause; and, whether it is intended to take any steps to improve the position of the chaplains?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, in reply to the right hon. and learned Gentleman, I have to say that we find no difficulty 1138 in obtaining a satisfactory supply of competent chaplains, and, looking to the the general emoluments of the Clergy, whether of the Church of England, Roman Catholic, or Presbyterian, I see no necessity to improve their position, either as to stipend or retirement. They stand upon an entirely different footing from other Departments of the Army, and I should not hesitate to deal with their emoluments, independently of those Departments, if I thought it desirable. This question was well considered by my Predecessors, and I agree with their decisions.