THE MASTER OF ELIBANKTo ask the Secretary of the State for War if he will say why officers were not permitted to participate in the extra war gratuity granted to the warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men under an Army Order issued in January, 1902; and if there is any precedent in previous campaigns where officers were excluded from participating with their men in war gratuities.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) It was held that in view of the prolonged detention of the reservists in South Africa, and of the fact that the soldiers of the regular forces were serving side by side with men drawing considerably higher rates of pay, inadequate provision had been made for the war gratuity to the warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. The same reasons did not apply to officers.