HC Deb 16 July 1894 vol 27 c30
MR. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether in view of the fact that the War Office Warrant of June 1890, No. 197, stated that soldiers enlisting after that date would come under it, he will modify the Warrant lately issued, which makes no such provision as to time, so as to make it agree with the Warrant of June 1890, in not having a retrospective effect, and thus obviate the risk of inflicting hardship on those who enlisted with the hope of getting a commission?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The Army Order of August, 1893, was issued after very full consideration in the best interests of the Service. Provision is made for candidates of specially meritorious service, or who have given distinguished service in the field; but it is not thought desirable that in ordinary cases a soldier should be recommended for a commission after he is 24 years of age, or that he should be commissioned after 26.