§ COLONEL ALEXANDERasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there is any reason why captains and lieutenants of orderlies of the Army Hospital Corps, who have obtained their present commissions from the ranks, should not be granted similar concessions to those given to captains and lieutenants of orderlies of the Army Hospital Corps who have not obtained 1105 their present commissions from the ranks, namely, the advantages, as regards pay while serving and beneficial pension on retirement, of the Warrant of 25th June 1881, and permission to retain their present titles?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to the ton. and gallant Officer, I have to say that if he refers to the apothecaries, these officers do not stand 0:1 the same footing as captains and lieutenants of orderlies in the Army Hospital Corps who were promoted from the ranks. The advantages of the former as regards pay while serving were conferred on them by the Warrants under which they entered the Service, and which they have always retained; and the only beneficial pension on retirement which the Warrant of the 25th of June, 1881, gave them, is in consideration of their being retired compulsorily. No change in this respect has been made in the case of the latter officers, who were liable to compulsory retirement. The option of the old or new Warrant was given to all; and I regret that, after fully looking into the question, I must decline making any further change.
§ In reply to Sir HENRY FLETCHER,
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, the Warrant stated clearly the provisions as to the honorary rank of captain and lieutenant.