§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Sergeant Instructor of Musketry, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, and of unexceptionable character, having completed 12 years' service, applied to extend his service for nine years further, in accordance with the Queen's Regulations, and was refused; whether Sergeant Henry Gonvyn, of the same battalion, who has been a non-commissioned officer for nearly ten years, has made a similar application; and, whether any decision has been come to thereon?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAR DEPAETMENT (Mr. BRODRICK) (Surrey, Gruilford)A non-commissioned officer may be personally of an unexceptionable character, and yet inefficient in the working of a regiment; and before exercising the veto which, under the Army Act and consequent Regulations, he is bound to exercise, the Secretary of State has satisfied himself that it is not for the good of the Service that the two men named in the Question should be re-engaged as sergeants. There is no desire, however, to stop their military career, or to prevent their serving on for pension in a lower capacity.