§ COLONEL H. McCALMONT (Antrim, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War will he explain why it is the rule to refuse to lieutenant colonels who retire on completion of their four years term of command, and join the Reserve of Officers, the rank of colonels which may be granted them, whereas lieutenant colonels of the Royal Artillery, though holding analogous appointments for five years, are promoted colonels after four years employment, and thus become entitled to retire with that rank; whether, in view of the possibility of the Reserve of Officers being called out for service, he can see his way to remedy this inequality between different branches of the Service?
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe brevet of colonel after four years' service as lieutenant colonel is given by selection, and only to officers who are considered qualified for further employment. This rule applies equally to all arms.