§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether colour sergeants, on the completion of twenty-one years service, become entitled to a pension of 2s. 6d. a day for life; whether it is in the power of a commanding officer to refuse to recommend for discharge men on the completion of the term of twenty-one years, and to compel them after they have earned pensions to serve for the small sum which constitutes the difference between the pay and the pension; and on what grounds can a man be compelled to prolong his service in the Army on the completion of the term during which he engaged to 637 serve and after he has earned his retiring pension.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMIn reply to the first paragraph the man is, subject to certain conditions as to the quality of the service, entitled to the pension. During war or when the Reserves are called oat a soldier may he detained with the colours for a period not exceeding twelve months beyond the date of expiration of his term of service.