§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, seeing that the taking away of the 4s. per diem messing allowance of Militia officers, formerly allowed them during their annual training, and the substitution of a sum of £100 bounty at the expiration of the period of embodiment, entails expense on married officers (who are compelled during the embodiment of the regiments to keep up two establishments—the mess at the station where they are quartered and a home for their wives and families) a messing allowance can be granted to those officers who are married in addition to the embodiment bounty.
*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe Secretary of State for War is unable to make a distinction between the married and unmarried officer in the direction suggested in the question.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWill the Secretary of State consider the propriety of reverting to the old system, seeing that these gentlemen are suffering a great hardship?
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThen it is a case of very bad judgment.