§ MR.HARRY S. SAMUEL (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the War Office to insist on the retirement of all Volunteer commanding officers appointed prior to 1896 during the present year, in accordance with the Order issued during 1896; and in the event of this order being relaxed, will they specially omit from any relaxation all officers who were in any way concerned with the buying and selling of honorary colonelcies, which occurred some three years ago.
*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)From the 1st November, 1896, all Volunteer commands were limited to four years, but general officers commanding districts have the power of recommending extensions which may not exceed four years. Such cases are very carefully investigated, and no entension is granted unless the officer is considered worthy of it.