§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will be able to consider favourably the Petition of Surgeon Major Hamilton George Gardner for reinstatement in the Service, in view of the facts that that officer served for 16 years in the Army Medical Staff; that he retired voluntarily in December, 1890, his name being still retained "in the retired list as liable to be recalled for service;" that he receives no pay or retaining fee for such retention: that there is nothing recorded against him as an officer; and that there is said to be a paucity of military medical officers, especially for service in India?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling, &c.A medical officer who has retired voluntarily from the Army is not eligible for re-instatement in the Service although he is liable to be recalled for duty in a case of emergency up to the age of 55 years. There is at 1515 present no such emergency, and there is no paucity of medical officers for service in India or else where.