HC Deb 09 June 1904 vol 135 c1214
MR. MARKHAM () Nottinghamshire, Mansfield

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if Field-Marshal Earl Roberts' full pay is continued up to January, 1906, while the pay of the other officers in high command, who were similarly and simultaneously relieved of their positions on 9th February last, ceased sixty days after their retirement; and, if so, can he explain the ground for the difference in the treatment of these officers from that enjoyed by the late Commander-in-Chief, seeing this officer received a gratuity of £100,000 during the Boer War.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.

The facts are as stated in the Question. Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, at the special request of the Prime Minister, consented to place his services at the disposal of the Committee of Imperial Defence and it was accordingly decided that he should be retained on full pay until the period of his employment as Commander-in-Chief would normally have expired.

MR. SEYMOUR ORMSBY-GORE () Lincolnshire, Gainsborough

May I ask whether Lord Roberts will not be employed on this Committee subsequently to January, 1906? In that case will his pay be continued?

MR. ARNOLD - FORSTBR

If that contingency arises it will have to be considered.