§ CAPTAIN NORTON () Newington, W.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that colonels in the Indian Army are on the same list as colonels in the British Army and are promoted major generals under the new Warrant of 1901, he will explain why the latter have been antedated to 1900, thus superseding the former by three years, their promotion having been stopped since October, 1900.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe major-generals of the British service promoted since 1st January, 1902, on which date the new Warrant came into force, have been promoted either for distinguished war service, or on selection for appointments which have been decided upon as carrying major-general's rank. None of the latter promotions have been antedated. The delay in promoting colonels of the Indian service has been caused by the difficulty which has been experienced in settling what appointments in India should carry major-general's rank, so as to give Indian service officers their due share of advancement, but the promotions will shortly be gazetted. It is a 223 mistake to suppose that the promotion of colonels of the Indian service under the old Warrant was stopped before the 1st January, 1901.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of six distinguished Indian officers the fact that the old Warrant ceased to operate before the new one was brought into operation has deprived them of their promotion?
§ MR. BRODRICKwas understood to reply that that was not clearly established.