§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state why the old system of promotion of Colonels of the Native Army to Generals was stopped before the new system was introduced, and what were the special difficulties; and why for a period of three years Officers of the Indian Army were superseded by Colonels promoted Major-Generals in England under the new system.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Earl PERCY,) Kensington, S.(1) The old system of promotion to the rank of Major-General was stopped by the Royal Warrant which fixed the date for the introduction of the new system as 1st January, 1901. The last promotion under the old system was made in October, 1900 (2) The number of appointments for Major-General and Lieutenant-General under the new system being too few to maintain a flow of promotion, it was proposed, in the interests of the Indian Army, to increase 381 them, and correspondence has for some time been in progress with the War Office and the Government of India for that purpose. As the result of an interdepartmental Conference, certain proposals have already been accepted in principle, which will increase the number of these appointments, and, as I stated in my reply of the 13th inst., the final report of the Conference is expected shortly. In the meantime it is impossible to give effect to the new system: (3) Without accepting as correct the hon. and gallant Member's use of the word "supersession," I may point out that the first promotion of a Colonel in England under the new system took place, not three years, but less than one year ago. The new system will be applied to the Indian Army as soon is possible.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONWill it act retrospectively? This hits a large number of very distinguished soldiers.
§ EARL PERCYI must ask for Notice of that Question.