§ MAJOR RASCHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he will consider the propriety of relaxing the order that no promotion to the rank of major general shall be made after 1st January, 1901, except to fill appointments and for distinguished service, taking into consideration the fact that the age clause operating concurrently must stop the promotion of the senior colonels of the Army.
§ MR. BRODRICKI am afraid I can hold out no hope of this relaxation. To attempt in any way to carry out the suggestion contained in this question would be to revert to the system of promotion by seniority, which is now impossible. It is, I think, of the first importance that selection should prevail for all the higher ranks in the Army.