§ MR. WHITLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the fact, as stated in The Times of the 8th May, that the rank of Lieutenant Colonel will be bestowed upon Staff Paymasters in the Army Pay Department after five years' service in that position; and, whether he can hold out any hope that the number of Chief Paymasters will be increased, so as to allow of all General Officers commanding at Home and Abroad having on their staff, as financial adviser, an Officer holding corresponding rank to that of the other heads of departments?
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERThe honorary rank of major has already been conferred upon all Staff Paymasters; and it is not considered desirable to confer the higher honorary rank of lieutenant colonel upon them after five years' service. In reply to the second part of the Question I have to say that the number of Chief Paymasters has only recently been increased from 12 to 15—a number which, in our opinion, is adequate. There are several districts, both at home and abroad, commanded by General Officers, in which the financial duties are not sufficiently important to justify the employment of a Chief Paymaster. Both my answers must, therefore, be in the negative.