§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that Ridingmasters and Quartermasters promoted from the ranks, and with more than 25 years' commissioned service, have, though strongly recommended by their respective Commanding Officers for the rank of major, been recently passed over in favour of officers of seven, 10, and 14 years' service; and, whether there is any, and what, objection to the promotion to the rank of major of officers who have risen from the ranks?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)There is no objection whatever to the promotion of officers who have risen from "the ranks to the rank of major, and many cases have occurred in which such promotion has been given. But, as I have already fully explained to the House, it was decided upon the Report of a Committee which inquired into all the alleged grievances of quartermasters, 1649 that promotion to the rank of major should not be by seniority, but by selection, to fill some of the more important posts held by these officers.