§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the case that non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the Reserve or discharged are ineligible for appointments in Government Departments after 32 years of ago; whether, seeing that in Austro-Huugary non-commissioned officers after 12 years' service in the active Army have a claim to situations under the State, and are eligible up to 45 years of age, that in France they are eligible up to 47 years, while in Germany and Italy they become eligible after 12 years' service, and that superior situations are preferentially given to them, he will consider the advisability of rendering such approved persons eligible in this country; and whether, in the interest alike of the Army and of the Civil Service, Her Majesty's Government will consider whether non-commissioned officers should be induced to prolong their service with the colours by having their future guaranteed, and their habits of discipline and method utilised in other branches of the Public Service?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTThe Rule for messengers in Government Departments is usually admission up to the age of 35 years, with a general exception in favour of men with Army or Navy service, who may deduct from their actual age any time which they have served to- 1343 wards pension. I doubt whether, on the whole, the Rules are any less liberal than those prevailing in other countries. The last paragraph raises a large question, which is, I think, rather for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War and the Board of Admiralty than for me.
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI should like to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the prospect of employment for discharged soldiers by the State has not had a very beneficial effect in improving the quality and conduct of recruits?
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI cannot undertake to attribute to any particular cause the increasing improvement in the quality of recruits, but I have no doubt that the employment of men after discharge by the State must have a salutary effect.
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONMay I ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government have passed any Order in Councilor self-denying Ordinance providing for the employment of old soldiers in the public offices instead of domestic servants?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTThe subject has been under the consideration of the Treasury during the last few days, and a communication with reference to the course to be taken will be made in a short time.