§ CAPTAIN NAYLOR-LEYLAND (Colchester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that squadron sergeant majors and squadron quartermaster sergeants in the Cavalry as regards 1076 pay hold practically identical rank, and that the former is the most important combatant position of any non-commissioned officer in the Cavalry, and that both are liable to be passed over by noncommissioned officers holding non-combatant positions after three years' service in Class 17, could the authorities place the new squadron corporal or sergeant majors upon the same footing, so that after three years' service in Class 17 they might upon recommendation become as a matter of right first-class Staff sergeants in Class 16, which privilege would give them no increase of pay, but would prevent their being passed over by non-combatant juniors, and would give them a small increase in allowances and pension?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPISELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling, &c.The so-called non-combatant non-commissioned officers referred to are comparatively few in number, and it is relatively difficult to find qualified men who are willing to accept the position. Their promotion to Class 17, for allowances, is practically the only promotion to which they can look. The combatant non-commissioned officers have open to them the posts of regimental sergeant major and quartermaster sergeant, and it is not considered necessary to give them also time promotion to Class 17.