§ MR. PRICE (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he will explain why sergeant-instructors of Volunteers are never able to rise above the rank of colour-sergeant, and that so-called sergeants-major of Volunteers, some of whom have held the rank of colour-sergeants for over 21 years, cannot be promoted under any circumstances even to the rank of quarter-master-sergeant, though they are not pensioners but serving on Army engagement.
§ MR. BRODRICKProposals to raise the rank of these non-commissioned officers have frequently been considered and again recently, but it has not been thought desirable to grant any higher rank. Warrant rank is confined to the Regular Army and Militia, who are liable to be embodied for long periods.