§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Medical Department of the Brigade of Foot Guards is short-handed, and that much difficulty is experienced in filling vacancies in consequence of insecurity of tenure, and the expense of living in London; whether all official application was lately made by the Commanding Officers of the three regiments of Foot Guards for a return to the regimental system; and whether the War Office is prepared to give sympathetic consideration to this request?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThere is at present one vacancy on the Medical Establishment of the Foot Guards. Appointments are made from medical officers who volunteer for the service; and as the appointments are for a fixed term of five years there is no insecurity of tenure. The officers commanding the regiments did recently suggest a return to the old regimental system; but under the existing system no difficulty has hitherto been experienced in finding candidates for the appointments.