§ DR. CLARK (Caithness)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the intention of the Government to put in force, at any early date, the provisions of the Royal Warrant of 1886 regarding Quartermasters having honorary rank conferred upon them; and whether several Quartermasters have been strongly recommended by their Commanding Officers for the honorary rank of Major, but have not yet had the rank conferred upon thorn; and, whether it is the case that two Majors have been 1674 appointed in the Royal Artillery Coast Brigade whose total commission service is only 12 years, while there are Quartermasters and Ridingmasters of over 20 years' commission service not yet promoted?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The grant of the honorary rank of Major to a limited number of Quartermasters has been decided on and will shortly take effect. Two Majors have recently been appointed in the Coast Brigade of Royal Artillery who had only 12 years' commissioned service, though they also had long service in the ranks; but the position is regimental, and dependent on the establishment of the corps. The promotion has no reference to the claims of Quartermasters or Ridingmasters, none of whom would have been eligible for the appointment.