§ SIR HENRY TYLERasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has received a copy of the General Order of Lord Wolseley, published in the newspapers, offering a prize of £100, to be paid after their return to Egypt—
To the Battalion of the Nile Force that shall make the quickest time with the fewest accidents between Sarras and Debbeh, and will do all he can to give the place of honour to the Battalion which wins the prize;whether he approves of the terms of that Order; and, whether he will, taking into account the extra labour involved, and the harassing and unusual service on which the troops are engaged, favourably consider the question of an increase, under proper regulations, by way of working-pay, to the pay of the general body of troops employed on the Nile Expedition?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI have not yet received a copy of the General Order referred to in the hon. Gentleman's Question; but, judging from the telegraphic summary of it given in the newspapers, I should not be disposed in such a matter to interfere with the discretion vested in the General commanding the Expedition. As to the second part of the Question, having in view the rule laid down in the Queen's Regulations as to the liability of soldiers to be employed on every kind of labour during service in the field when a field ration is allowed, I am not prepared, as at present advised, to sanction the issue of working pay.