§ COLONEL HUGHES-HALLETT (Rochester)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will take into consideration, with a view to correction, the present stagnation in promotion Field Officers' rank among the Captains in the Army; when the claims of Captains will be considered, as laid down in Clause 129 of Royal Warrant of 1837; and, whether it is intended to absord all the supernumerary Majors before promoting any of the Captains?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)During late years promotion has 716 been so abnormally rapid that I am not prepared to admit anything like a general stagnation. Although, from the abolition of seconded Majors by the recent Promotion Warrant, there may be in some regiments some suspension of promotion, it is also not to be denied that cases may occur in which the absorption of all the supernumerary Majors, before allowing any promotion to the Captains, would cause considerable hardship. Article 29 of the Royal Warrant of 1886 allows the Secretary of State a discretion in the matter; and I shall be ready to consider each ease on its merits as it arises.