HC Deb 16 March 1906 vol 153 cc1539-40
MR. SLOAN

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that colour sergeants serving on the permanent staff are generally selected from the senior of that rank in the Line battalions, as being steady and reliable men, he will take steps to ensure that when vacancies for promotion take place in the Line battalions, these non-commissioned officers will receive due consideration, instead of being passed over as at present.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) If the hon. Member will kindly refer to the detailed instructions on this subject contained in the King's Regulations he will find that there is no regulation to prevent colour sergeants of the permanent staff being considered for promotion to higher rank in the Line battalions. Promotion to warrant rank will in future require the approval of the officer in charge of records, and this change in system will probably tend to equalise promotion in a corps.

MR. SLOAN

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the pay of colour sergeants of Line battalions has been increased by 6d. per diem, he will take steps to have the pay of colour sergeants serving on the permanent staff of Militia battalions increased in the same manner; and if, having regard to the fact that in most cases these non-commissioned officers are posted to the staff contrary to their wishes, by virtue of seniority and service, he will take steps to have this grievance remedied.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As regards the first part of the Question,. the emoluments of colour sergeants on the permanent staff of the Militia have always been less than those of similar rank in the Line, owing to the different nature and amount of their work and the responsibility involved. It is not, therefore, considered practicable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. As regards the second part of the Question, all non-commissioned officers who have the qualifying service laid down, in the King's Regulations are liable to be posted to the permanent staff. Lists are also kept of such non-commissioned officers who are desirous of being so posted. Should a vacancy arise to which no non-commissioned officer is desirous of being posted, it is necessary to enforce the regulation, the selection being made, as far as possible, in order of regimental seniority.