*MR. GRANT LAWSON () Yorkshire, N. R., ThirskOn behalf of the hon. Member for York (Mr. BUTCHER) I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Militia sergeant majors appointed prior to February, 1889, were entitled to the rank of warrant officers; will he explain why an Army Order was issued in February, 1889, depriving Militia sergeant majors appointed after that date of the rank of warrant officers; whether under the Special Army Order No. 203 of 3rd November, 1899, Militia sergeant majors will receive the pay and allowance, but not the rank of warrant officers; why in the event of a warrant officer being killed in action his wife and children are entitled to pensions, but in the event of a Militia sergeant major being killed in action his wife and children are entitled to no pension whatever; and whether the Government will take into consideration the question of raising all Militia sergeant majors to the rank of warrant officers, or otherwise ensuring pensions for the wives and children of those killed in action.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMMilitia sergeant majors never were warrant officers, and as. during peace they are only employed for a portion of the year it is not considered necessary to give them the rank or pay. During embodiment, however, they are granted the same pay and allowances as in the Line, but warrant rank is not conferred upon them. The question of the 77 provision for their wives and families in the case of men killed in action or dying in consequence of foreign service is under consideration.