§ SIR EDWARD WATKIN (Hythe)asked the Secretary of State for War why Chief Paymasters are, under some alteration of rule, now to serve five instead of three years in unhealthy climates such as Hong Kong, and Staff Paymasters only four years in fine climates like Ceylon and Singapore?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEBy a regulation issued last year the tour of foreign service for departmental executive officers was increased by one year, so that Staff Paymasters who used to serve three years in Ceylon, China, &c., would have to serve four years. At the same time the administrative departmental officers were placed under the rules applicable to the general staff of the Army, which involve a tour of five years' service.