§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a Resolution was passed in 1883, in the House of Lords, in favour of appointing noncommissioned officers to subordinate posts in that House; and whether he is prepared to support a similar proposal for the House of Commons?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThe Resolution referred to was no more than an Instruction to a Committee of Inquiry, and was not restricted to any particular rank. The outcome of the Instruction was a recommendation by the Committee in 1884 that—
In future in making appointments in the Department of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, preference should be given to persons who have served with credit in the Army, Navy, and Marines, or some other Department of the Public Service.If a similar Rule can be carried out in this House, so as to aid in giving employment to deserving soldiers in 683 capacities for which their training suits them, it will certainly have my warm support.