§ COLONEL MILNE HOMEasked the Secretary of State for War, What compensation may be expected by "Purchase Colonels," who on reaching the age of fifty-nine, must, under the Royal Warrant taking effect from 1st July 1881, retire from the Army, and thereby lose all chance of further promotion, as well as in some cases suffer abbreviation of command, and be deprived of other pecuniary advantages awarded for meritorious service?
MR. CHILDEESSir, in reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to say that "purchase colonels," who, unless employed, would be in receipt of not above £200 15s. half-pay, will, on compulsory retirement at 59 years of age, receive £420 a year retired pay, and will also be compensated for the loss, if any, of prospective unattached pay as general officer and colonel of a regiment, the amount being assessed by the Army Purchase Commission as provided in Article 978, Section 12, of the Warrant of the 25th of June, 1881. Rewards for 748 meritorious service granted before the 1st of July last will be carried into retirement by colonels, and £60 a-year will be so carried in respect of rewards granted since the 1st of July.