§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD () Essex, EppingTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the step in rank given to the Reserve officers for their services during the Boer War, which appeared in the Gazette of the 17th October last, was substantive, he will explain why those officers are shown in the November Army List as still holding their former rank; will he state whether 1205 the promotion given to the Reserve officers in the Gazette of the 17th October is to be antedated, in view of the fact that the delay in complying with the instructions contained in the Circular Letter of the 3rd of April to general officers, calling for the names of Reserve officers recommended for promotion, was not the fault of these officers; and will he explain why a Reserve officer reemployed during an emergency is deprived by Royal Warrant of his gratuity on completion of a period of service entitling him to a higher rate of retired pay.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.)
For the first part of the Question the hon. Member is requested to refer to the reply given to a Question put by the hon. Member for Northampton on the 11th instant. It was decided that no antedate should be given officers promoted in the Gazette of the 17th October, and that all should bear the same date. As regards the last part of the Question, it has been explained on previous occasions that an officer cannot draw both gratuity and increased retired pay.