COLONEL, WYNDHAM MURRAY (Bath)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether it is the case that, by the present regulations, Colonels in the Army who have been employed in that rank, but who are not on the selected list for promotion to the rank of Major General, are obliged to wait for a pension until they reach the age of 57 years, thus being compelled to remain in the Army while their juniors on the selected list are promoted over their heads; and, whether he will consider the possibility of making some alteration in the Royal Warrant, in order that Colonels, if not on the selected list, could, if they wish it, be granted a pension at an earlier age, so that they should not be compelled to remain while being superseded?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FORWAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey,) GuildfordThe special retired pay of £500 a year for colonels is not attainable till the age of 57 years, but any colonel who has completed the qualifying service as lieutenant-colonel can retire on the ordinary pension of £420 a year.