HC Deb 03 December 1888 vol 331 cc846-7
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, by the Regulations in force before October, 1887, every officer in the higher ranks of the Army (whether general, colonel, or lieutenant colonel) was compulsorily retired after non-employment for five years; whether, in October, 1887, a Royal Warrant was issued specially empowering him to exempt any general (but not a colonel or lieutenant colonel) from this compulsorily retirement, in case he considered the Public Service would benefit by the retention of such general on the Active List; whether he has availed himself of this power; and, if so, in how many cases; what are the names of the exempted generals; and, what duties in the Public Service have been assigned to them?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

Retirement is compulsory after five years non-employment in the higher ranks, except in the case of a colonel promoted to be a General Officer while unemployed, who may complete seven years of non-employment. A General Officer may be exempted from this if his retention is considered to be of material benefit to the Public Service. The only officer who has been so exempted during the past year is my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Sir Edward Hamley), and I regard it as a great advantage to the Public Service, in the event of emergency, that we still retain his services in the Army.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked how long the arrangement was to continue?

MR. E. STANHOPE

said, the exemption from retirement was for a fixed period of two years.

MR. T. M. HEALY

asked if be was receiving full or half pay?

MR. E. STANHOPE

In the meantime my hon. and gallant Friend receives half pay.