§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there has been for some time past a dearth of candidates for posts in the Pay Department; whether there were recently as many as forty regiments or regimental districts without the proper financial Officers; whether any representations have been made to the War Office authorities by the Officers of the Pay Department, asking to be placed upon a footing in respect of rank, pay, and retirement with Officers of the Commissariat; and, whether he proposes to accede to the request?
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERSir, there were recently 22 regiments and one regimental district in which the pay duties were administered by a committee or acting paymaster. The number of candidates for the Pay Department has fallen off considerably since the re-organization of the Army in 1881 diminished the probability of captains having to retire compulsorily; but this incentive to accept paymasterships is likely to revive during the next few years. Representations have recently been made asking that officers of the Pay Department might be placed on the same footing as officers of the Commissariat and Transport Staff. My noble Friend the Secretary of State has under consideration some suggestions in connection with the retirement of officers in this Department; but he can hold out no hope that they will be placed on the same footing as the Commissariat in respect of rank, pay, and retirement.