§ COLONEL COLTHURSTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will consider the advisability of allowing men who have taken their discharge at the expiration of either the first or second period of service, or who have purchased their discharge at any period of service, to re-engage within six months, reckoning their former service? The hon. and gallant Member also asked, Whether the noble Marquess's attention has been called to the refusal of a large number of men to re-engage on the completion of their first term of service, on account of not receiving their Deferred Pay; and, whether he will consider the advisability of issuing such Pay on re-engagement instead of withholding it until discharge?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONIt will be convenient to answer this and No. 6 Question together. There is some confusion in the terms employed. Inducements have been offered to men to extend their service with the Colours, and one of these is the permission to re-engage for pension, if recommended by their Commanding Officer. I believe that the number of men who, up to the present time, have extended their Colour service, is not large. Both the suggestions in the hon. and gallant Member's Questions have been considered; but they would both be in principle opposed to the short service system, and they would also tend actually to defeat the object which we have at present in view, which is to secure an extension of the continuous service of men now serving in the ranks.
§ COLONEL COLTHURSTOn Tuesday I will ask the noble Marquess, Whether it is not a fact that two officers of the Guards were sent to Portsmouth especially to tempt men recently arrived from India to re-engage, and thus to 56 defeat the short service system; and whether that attempt did not fail owing to their not receiving deferred pay?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONDoes the hon. and gallant Member employ the term re-engage or extend their service?
§ COLONEL COLTHURSTExtend their service with the Colours.